Today I will reveal to you my best practice on how to plan a unique couple session in Barcelona using the example of one of my favourite wedding sessions with Paulina and Szymon! I hope you find this tip useful. If you have any questions, contact me for a free consultation.
If you are reading this post, there is a good chance that you are thinking about a post-wedding, engagement or a couple session in Barcelona. You live here, or like Paulina and Szymon, you will visit the Catalan capital on a short holiday. If so, I hope this post will help you to look differently at planning your photoshoot.
Over the past few years, I have photographed couples in many of the most romantic locations in Barcelona and Catalonia, from the Gothic Quarter to the beaches of Garraf, Sitges and Lloret de Mar. If you contact me, I will be happy to advise you on choosing the best place for your wedding or engagement session.
Not only the place but also the time of the session is very important. It’s easy here. Get up early! Early morning is perfect, not only because of the fantastic light but also because it’s the best way to avoid crowds of tourists.
However, is there anything else that will make your session special? What’s the secret of planning a unique couple session in Barcelona?
Barcelona wedding session – an obvious idea.
“Hello, we are planning to visit Barcelona, weekend, maybe 5 days max. Considering that we are newly married, the idea for a wedding session in this city seemed obvious”- said the message from Paulina.
It is difficult to disagree with this statement. Barcelona is one of the most romantic and photogenic cities in Europe (I started photographing myself after moving to the capital of Catalonia). Barcelona combines everything that’s most charming in Mediterranean cities – beautiful architecture, perfect weather, relaxed pace of life, weather, culture and unrivalled cuisine. It is a city that never sleeps, perfect to become a backdrop for your honeymoon session.
How to find inspiration for your wedding session in Barcelona?
The stereotype of a wedding or engagement session is 1-2 locations and a few standard posed portraits. Often the couples who contact me have no clear ideas about their session and they expect me to take the reins and lead them “by the hand”. At the beginning of my adventure with wedding and engagement photography in Barcelona, I thought so too, but quickly I started to miss this “something” in the photos … Now, when I talk to my couples, I try rather to guide them to find their ideas rather than give ready-made solutions.
The majority of the couples, who contact me, love the idea of collecting photos of the moments they spent together, at the same time, for most of them, the idea of standing in front of the lens is an experience comparable to a visit to the dentist. I believe this is due to the stereotypes about the sessions and the approach of the majority of photographers. I found my patent for it.
“Because the memory is life’s storybook,
meant to be preserved, not produced. “
In response to an e-mail from Paulina, I suggested a video chat to discuss the details of the session.
After 2 minutes of talking with Paulina and Szymon, I knew that we would have a great time together.
We quickly moved on to the topic of recommended locations for the session. And here we come to the heart of my post. For me, the secret to a successful session is neither the place nor the time when we take photos. The key is to focus on creating beautiful memories and forget that you are planning the photography session…
In my photography, regardless of whether I have couples or families in front of my camera, my goal is not only to produce attractive photos for Instagram but photographs that in 10 years will take you back to the wonderful moments you spent together.
Btw. If you planning a wedding in Barcelona and you look for a perfect wedding venue for your dream day, check my list of best wedding venues in Barcelona PART 1 and PART 2. Hope you find it helpful.
Beautiful memories = valuable photographs
Instead of planning poses, plan your perfect date without thinking about photography at all. Brainstorm what would you like to do as a couple and how would you spend those hours together to remember them forever. The sky is the limit. I will only be a witness with a camera who will capture these moments on photographs. No pretending, no posing – just have fun and make beautiful memories. Of course, when I notice a beautiful light or scenery, we will take a few classic portraits which I will blend in the final reportage.
When I’ve explained my approach to Paulina and Szymon I’ve asked them to give me a minimum of 4 things they would love to do on their perfect date in Barcelona. They replied:
- drink Catalan cava at sunrise on the beach,
- get lost in the picturesque streets of old part of Barcelona,
- have a coffee in the Spanish sun in one of Barcelona’s beautiful squares,
- they like craft beers so they would try the best of the local ones in an authentic bar.
Below you can find photographs from that session. I hope you like it.
A few words from Szymon (from WhatsApp) after delivering the photos.
“Howdy, Andrew , good job!!🙉👍👌💪.
So many wonderful photos. We are very happy and satisfied 🙂 .
Paulina kept commenting on each photo “oh this is pretty, oh this is lovely, oh this is beautiful” 😀.
It came out fantastic. We like the variety of photos. I think two locations, it was a great choice.
The final results look like a photo-reportage of our Barcelona sightseeing and that’s great. Well done 👍💪”.
If you have any question or would like to BOOK a YOUR wedding session Barcelona, please use the form below.
Let’s talk
Now, enjoy watching Paulina’s & Szymon´s Barcelona post wedding session on Beach of Barceloneta and famous Gothic Quarter.
