Last year could not have gotten off to a better start: I traveled to Asia for the first time, a wonderful month-long trip that took me to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. I have to confess something though: I haven’t been able to take a break from work for several years, but the truth is that in any creative profession, it’s very important to have a clear head, without any worries or tasks hanging over it. To just be in the moment and experience the here and now. This is exactly what happened to me on this trip: I saw, I felt, I stored away, I absorbed an immense amount of inspiration, and then I came back completely invigorated and used the entire experience to express many new and exciting ideas.
2017 was the year I bought my first home! After so much searching, I found a small treasure in the heart of Lisbon, with a super lovely terrace, where I hope to spend many hours.
Last year, I was lucky enough to do many other amazing things as well: I went to a photography workshop in Rome, I was one of my best friends’ maid of honor, I went back to the Azores (I love these islands!), I spent a lot of time in my dear Alentejo, in Douro, Oporto, the Algarve and in my sweet Lisbon. In the digital world, I was published in 12 international blogs and referenced in several other websites and magazines (see the end of post).
When it came to work, 2017 could not have been more amazing! I had pretty high expectations for the weddings that I was booked for last year and the truth is that they were all exceeded. For starters, I photographed more elopements and intimate weddings, ceremonies that I love to be a part of because the bride and groom are more relaxed, they end up enjoying the day a whole lot more and they spend more quality time with all their guests.
An elopement and the wedding of an American couple at the Monserrate Palace were unforgettable. I visited the Estói Palace twice, I photographed a vow renewal in the beautiful Torre de Palma Hotel, where I spent the entire ceremony crying (it was very emotional!). I photographed at the super photogenic Areias do Seixo and shot an editorial in São Lourenço do Barrocal. I enjoyed this last hotel so much that a week later I checked in.
I had the privilege of traveling to some of the dreamiest places in Portugal, from North to South. Some I already knew well, others I got to know for the first time. On the last day of 2017, I photographed the incredible elopement of two Canadians in the heart of the Blue Lagoon. It was the best way to end the year.
Although 2017 was a very generous year, I want to do a few things differently in 2018. I want more time for myself and I want to publish here more often. I want to travel more and spend more time with those who warm my heart.
his year I’m going to do more inspirational sessions and more editorials. I want to photograph more for myself, without the pressure of having a client (although weddings are my all-time favorite thing to shoot!). I want to spend more time doing things that will help me grow creatively, see more exhibitions, read more, and watch more movies. There will be some new and exciting work-related things too, but I’m not going to unveil everything just yet! Above all, I want to be a better photographer – today it feels good to look back and see how much I’ve grown.
And now back to 2017: be delighted by the best wedding, elopement and inspirational photographs that made my year… and tell me, wasn’t it amazing?!
Photography for Pedro Vilela
Photography for Pedro Vilela
Photography for Pedro Vilela
Photography for Pedro Vilela
Photography for Pedro Vilela
A huge thank you to all ” my brides and grooms”, to all “my families” and to all the vendors (wedding planners, videographers, decorators, florists, stylists, makeup artists, hair stylists, wedding dress and suit designers, hotels, estates and all the other wonderful venues for getting married, officiants, musicians, DJs, VJs, cake designers and all those vendors who I may have not mentioned!). Thank you for making these days even more special, with all the unique and authentic details that help bring my photographs to life.
In 2017, I was published here:
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