I’m Patty, a wedding photographer based in Portugal. I specialize in candid, emotion-filled wedding photography and relaxed portraits, with a particular focus on destination weddings throughout Portugal.

My favorite photographs are the moments that happen when you aren’t thinking about the camera. Tears and laughter, nerves and anticipation, silly expressions, quiet glances—the things that bring your wedding day back to life years later. Those are the photographs I’m always watching for and you can see some of my favorite candid moments here.

Portraits matter too, but they shouldn’t take you away from your wedding for hours, and they definitely shouldn’t look overly posed. My goal is to make people comfortable enough in front of my camera that their portraits feel relaxed and natural while still being beautifully composed. You should recognize yourselves in them—not just see two people who were told where to stand.

After more than 20 years as a professional photographer, I’ve learned that a wedding doesn’t need to be manufactured for the camera to be beautiful. My job is to know when to step in and create something—and when to get out of the way and photograph the beautiful chaos happening all around me.

I’m originally from the United States and now live in central Portugal, which gives couples planning a destination wedding here something particularly useful: an English-speaking photographer who actually lives in Portugal and knows how to navigate the country, but also understands the wedding traditions you’re used to.

Take a look through my work, and if the way I see weddings feels like the way you’d like to remember yours, I’d love to hear what you’re planning!

Patty