Family photography in Lisbon, Portugal

The family photography I believe in — and the kind I create — is not about perfect smiles or carefully arranged poses. It is about presence. About being together in a way that feels natural, honest and true to your family.

 

As a family photographer in Lisbon, my approach is very simple: your session is time when you are all together doing things you genuinely enjoy. You can do everything you like: play games, fly a kite, make cookies (and then eat them), walk your dog, make sand castles or explore new corners of Lisbon. This way, your photoshoot feels relaxed and natural, and you’ll see all those candid, in-between moments that truly reflect your family.

 

My favourite locations for a natural family photoshoot are your home or natural outdoor settings — beaches, forests and so on. These are places where you can feel relaxed and move freely. In and around Lisbon, Cascais and Setúbal, there are so many beautiful and diverse locations. I’ll be happy to explore them with you and choose a place that feels right for your family.

 

For a more unique and intimate experience, we can create your session in the neighbourhood where you live. The streets you walk every day, your favourite café, the small routines of your life — these details become deeply meaningful with time.

WHO THIS FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IS FOR

If this sounds like you:

  • You don’t like posing and don’t want your session to feel staged or artificial;
  • You enjoy being together and want that connection to be visible in your photographs;
  • You are usually the one behind the camera and rarely appear in family pictures yourself (I feel you!!);
  • You value everyday life — knowing that one day these ordinary days will become the memories you miss the most;
  • You don’t need perfection, you want something real.

Then this kind of family session may be exactly what you’re looking for.

LOOK AT THESE SESSIONS

WHAT TO EXPECT

Before the Session

 

I prefer the preparation for a family photoshoot to feel simple and relaxed.

 

First, you tell me a little about your family, who will be taking part in the session and what kind of atmosphere you imagine for your photographs.

 

Second, we choose the location together. The most important thing is choosing a place that feels meaningful for your family. If you already have such a location in mind, that’s a perfect starting point. If not, I’ll be happy to suggest beautiful spots for family photography around Lisbon, Cascais or Setúbal.

 

The next step is thinking about what to wear. The level of my involvement here can vary depending on what you prefer. I can simply give a few general recommendations or you can send me photos of your outfits and I’ll happily give more detailed suggestions. There is never any need to buy something special for the session unless you truly want to. Very often the best choices for a family photoshoot are already in your wardrobe.

 

 

During the Session

 

During the session, I mostly observe and pay attention to what is happening between you. I gently guide when needed, but I never force moments.

 

Sometimes I may suggest a simple activity and then I photograph how everything naturally unfolds.

 

At some point we take a couple of minutes to create a few classic family portraits where everyone stands together for the camera — and after that the posing part is over. The rest of the session is about movement, interaction and real moments.

 

I often describe my approach as a “kid-led photo session.” Children are free to be themselves, choose activities, explore their surroundings and follow their curiosity. We don’t expect children to “behave well” during the session. They can be shy, loud, restless, curious, emotional — all of it is part of real family life. There is time and space for everything: to move, to pause, to take a break, to reset. And very often, the most honest photographs appear exactly in those in-between moments. That is why I don't work with strict timing.

 

 

After the Session

 

After the session I take some time to carefully select and edit your photographs. This part of the process is just as important to me as the photoshoot itself.

 

Your photos are usually ready within two weeks. During the summer months the turnaround time may occasionally be a little longer due to a higher number of sessions.

 

Once the photographs are ready, I upload them to a private online gallery where you can comfortably view, download and share your images.

 

The gallery will remain available for one year after your family photoshoot, so you will always have time to return to your photographs.

 

Q&A

natural family photography child with pet at home
How can we prepare our kids for a family photoshoot?
 
In my experience, a little preparation can make a family photoshoot feel much easier and more enjoyable for children.

First, talk about the session in a positive way. You can tell them that you’ll be playing, exploring and spending time together — and that a friendly photographer will be there to capture those moments.

It can also help to prepare a small surprise or treat that you can open together during the photoshoot.

You can involve their children in choosing outfits or thinking about what to bring — a favourite toy, a blanket or a simple activity you can do together.

Another fun idea is to plan a small “special moment” that doesn’t usually happen at home — for example, eating pizza in bed or having a picnic on the floor.

The goal is for your child to feel that the family photo session is not a task, but a small celebration of time spent together.
What if my child doesn't cooperate during the photoshoot?
 
Preparation before the session usually helps a lot (see the previous question). But every child is different, and children naturally react in their own way to new situations.

If we imagined laughing, playing and building sand castles together, but your child feels shy, wants to stay in your arms and hides behind you — that’s completely okay. In that case our family photoshoot simply becomes a different kind of story: a quieter, more tactile one. A story about feeling safe in a parent’s embrace, hiding in a warm sweater, peeking out from behind a skirt, being tickled and kissed in the nose.

I don’t work with strict timing, so we can always give children a little more time to get used to my presence. We may have a plan for the session, but we never expect children to follow it perfectly. Sometimes they have their own ideas — and then we simply follow their lead.

In my experience, children almost always find their way into the moment once they feel comfortable. But even if a child has a particularly difficult day, it’s not the end of the world. We can always pause or choose another day for your family photo session.
What to wear for a family photoshoot?
 
I usually recommend choosing comfortable outfits that feel natural to you and allow you to move freely — clothes that you don’t have to constantly adjust or worry about while walking, playing or picking up your children. Soft colours and simple textures work beautifully in photographs. It’s best to avoid large logos or very bright patterns. If you’re unsure, you can always send me photos of your outfits and I’ll happily help you decide.
What if the weather is bad on the day of our photoshoot?
 
There are a couple of options. We can move the family photoshoot indoors and photograph your family at home, which often creates a very cozy and personal atmosphere. Another option is simply to reschedule the session for another day.

Luckily, in Portugal this isn’t a very common situation — the weather around Lisbon is usually quite reliable, especially outside the winter months.
Can grandparents or other family members join the session?
 
Of course, they are very welcome to join! I don’t charge extra for extended family members, so grandparents or other close relatives can absolutely be part of your family photoshoot. These photographs often become especially meaningful over time.
Can we include our dog or other pets in the photoshoot?
 
Of course — and I would even encourage it. Pets are part of the family, and they are always welcome. They often help both children and adults relax and feel more comfortable during the photoshoot, which makes the photographs feel even more natural and genuine.
How long does a family photoshoot take?
 
A family session usually lasts about 1–2 hours, but the exact timing can vary depending on several factors. It may depend on how many people are participating (larger families sometimes need a bit more time), the age of the children (very young children often prefer shorter sessions), and simply how the photoshoot naturally unfolds.

Sometimes children need a little more time to warm up to a new situation or to my presence. Or we can pause during the session if someone needs a short break — all of this is completely normal and part of the process.

I don’t work with strict timing and prefer to follow the situation. Sometimes we might take a little longer if things are unfolding slowly, and sometimes we finish earlier if everyone has already had a very active and joyful session.

There is never any pressure to stay exactly within a specific timeframe — what matters most is that the experience feels relaxed and natural for your family.
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Olga Moreira — Portrait and Family Photographer

Based in Palmela, working in Lisbon, Margem Sul, Cascais and Sintra