As a Puerto Rico wedding photographer, I've had the pleasure of capturing love stories from all over the world. So when I got the e-mail from this beautiful Ethiopian couple about their pre-wedding photo session in Old San Juan, I was thrilled!

There's something magical about Old San Juan. The cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and historic architecture make it the perfect backdrop for a romantic photo shoot. And Sara and Zeze were no exception. They were stunning, dressed in wedding attire, and ready to capture their love in this beautiful city.

Pre-Wedding Photography in Cultures Across the World

Most of my clients, living in the United States of America or Puerto Rico, follow "western" wedding traditions (Northwestern, actually), in which photography is mainly used for casual engagement photos and wedding-day portraits.

Heteronormative northwestern wedding tradition dictates that "the bridal dress shouldn't be revealed before their wedding day because that might bring bad luck." However, many South American and Eastern cultures have a more formal pre-wedding photoshoot, in which the couples normally wear their wedding attire to celebrate and immortalize memories of their upcoming marriage.

A thing I love about my business is how I've managed to attract a diverse list of clients, embracing their traditions and eternally learning from them.

Pre-wedding couples photos in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

With Sara and Zeze, we started the shoot an hour before sunset to avoid the crowds and get that perfect golden lighting. The couple was a bit shy at first, but as we walked through the streets of Old San Juan, they started to relax and enjoy the moment. They held hands, whispered sweet nothings to each other, and laughed as we captured their love.

One of my favorite moments from the shoot was when we were almost about to end. After I had declared the session done, I walked closer to the ocean to take a last look at the bay with them. The couple got organically close to each other, and I snapped a few more shots during twilight.

Overall, the shoot was a huge success, and I was thrilled to be part of their journey. It's moments like these that make me grateful to be a Puerto Rico wedding photographer, capturing love stories from all over the world.

If you're planning a destination wedding or pre-wedding photo session in Old San Juan, I highly recommend it. The city's rich history and stunning architecture make it the perfect location for a romantic shoot. And as a Puerto Rico wedding photographer, I'll be honored to capture your love story in this beautiful city.

xo,
Cami