A destination wedding photographer, when we first met Kim,
we had no idea she had already photographed in Portugal!
A wonderful discovery you’ll get to explore in this interview.
Kim, let’s start from the beginning:
when did photography shift from a passion to a profession?
“My life has been shaped by movement, relationships, and art and those same threads run through my work. I’ve always had a camera in my hand since I was a kid, but for the longest time I didn’t see photography as a career. Nobody in my family or surroundings was self-employed, let alone a self-employed creative.
Before photography, I was a doctor working in intensive care and anesthesiology. It taught me to hold space for people in their most vulnerable moments a skill I now carry into every wedding I photograph.
One day in intensive care, a young patient I had grown close to confided in me that he wished he had lived his life differently. He had always thought there would be more time more decades to follow his dreams.
That conversation changed everything. It cracked something open in me a realization that life is too short not to choose joy when you can. So I gave myself permission to try turning my love for photography into more than a private passion. I followed the pull toward creativity, connection, and celebration and in doing so, I found a kind of joy I hadn’t known before.
My path to photography wasn’t traditional but it was always about people. And now, every wedding I photograph is a reminder to say yes to the big love, the loud laughter, the happy tears - just the joy. I am so happy I ended up in this profession! I could have never imagined this life before I experienced it, and I am grateful every day, especially for my amazing couples. I love them so much!”
What draws you to the world of weddings in particular?
“My favorite thing about weddings is that I get to dive into a bubble of life - the life of a couple, a day or weekend they share with their loved ones. There are soooo many things to observice, so many relationships (not only the couple! Also them with their families, friends, in-laws…) and so many characters and their quirks shining through. It is always such an honour to have that all-access-pass.
Weddings are this beautiful mix of chaos and tenderness. You get laughter, nerves, tears, and dance moves nobody should ever repeat all in one weelemd. I love that no two weddings are the same, but at their core, they’re always about connection. Being able to witness that, document it, and give it back to people as a memory they’ll treasure forever? That’s magic to me.”
You’re a destination photographer, and that freedom shines through in your images, they’re full of emotion. What inspires you most when working outside your home country?
“Travel shakes me up in the best way, and in every new place I appreciate the details, the new light, colour, flora, architecture, landscape, culture. A while ago, I actually paused the concept of “home country” and I don’t have a base anymore - I travel from one wedding to the next instead of paying rent. There are no routines that make me stuck in my ways, and I love and appreciate every new scenery. I get to discover new places constantly even in my free time, and I think this is such a good training to adapt to the ever changing and unique conditions of a wedding day.”
Do you remember your first contact with Portugal?
Was it a personal trip or already work-related?
“My first contact with Portugal was when one of my best friends from South Africa married a Portuguese man. Meeting his friends and family at the wedding made me really curious to visit!”
You’ve photographed in Portugal — in places as different as Coimbra and Madeira. How was each of those experiences? Was there any contrast that surprised you?
“In Coimbra, I photographed the Harry Potter themed wedding of a gay couple. I wasn’t aware that students in Coimbra wear hogwarts-like cloaks in the street, so when I arrived in the city, I felt like I was in the movies! And of course the wedding was so incredbile, with hundreds of candles hanging from the ceiling and a truly magical vibe. I was extremely impressed with the attention to detail of my couple and their friends! The historical setting was the cherry on top.
The wedding I photographed in Madeira was so different, and so stunning in its own way. We got to experience the extreme and fast weather changes, and I loved it all - from dramatic rain and hail to sunshine.
A third wedding was in the Vandelli Botanical Gardens of Lisbon - again SO different! Portugal is such a versatile wedding destination, I can’t wait to see more, I am honestly so excited!”
When you accepted your first wedding here, did you have any expectations?
“Maybe this is too simple, but my main expectation just goes towards the climate. I love outdoor ceremonies and receptions, because I’m not confined to the limitations of a building, I can get a greater variety of angles and distances. And I just love being outside! Besides that, I have always experiences the Portuguese to be very warm-hearted, which I love, and I am too.
In general, wherever I go, I am inspired by all the little details, from flora to architecture, and Portugal is just so rich in visuals and experiences worth exploring.”
What stood out to you about Portugal as a wedding destination?
“The diversity of Portugal is unmatched, from historic towns to the rougher oceans, from soft beaches to Botanical Gardens, from the sunniest places like Lisbon to sometimes moody locations like the Fanal forest in Madeira. And the light - always the light! It can be so soft yet dramatic, romantic but never too heavy. And beyond that, the warmth of the people, it makes celebrations here feel not just beautiful, but deeply heartfelt.”
Have you had the chance to work with Portuguese professionals
If so, how was that experience?
“Yes, and it was wonderful! My most recent wedding was planned by Catarina and her team at Wedding Planner and Curator (WPC). There’s this perfect balance of professionalism and friendliness that makes everything run smoothly while still feeling relaxed. We had some very extraordinary challenges in the wedding and we rocked it as a team. I’ve also worked with other Portuguese photographers, sometimes even have virtual coffee with them if we haven’t seen each other in months. I really value working with people who love what they do, and I’ve felt that energy with Portuguese teams always!”
Creatively speaking, what does Portugal offer you that feels different?
“Portugal contrast between old and new, land and sea, intimacy and vastness. It challenges me to see beauty in unexpected corners, to play with texture and depth in ways I don’t always get to elsewhere. It’s endlessly inspiring.”
Have you visited Portugal outside of professional commitments?
“Even though my life might look like one giant holiday, I am actually working almost every day! Of course not a wedding every day, but I edit, network, do admin work and marketing etc. So I can’t say I have been to Portugal for a holiday yet - but it’s actually happening for my brother’s 30th birthday this year! I recommended some places to him, and now we are going with a group of his friends for 5 days. No work! Maybe. Haha.”
When you talk about Portugal with your international clients or colleagues, what do you usually highlight?
“I always talk about the light, the atmosphere and the people. It’s not just about the scenery (though it’s breathtaking), it’s about how Portugal makes you *feel*. Relaxed, welcomed, and a little bit in awe, with sunshine on your skin. I think that’s what makes it such a special place for weddings, too.”
We know Portugal is a country you’d love to return to, is there a dream setting here you’d especially love to explore?
“Sintra and the Azores are high on my list! Beautiful architecture and history in Sintra and the incredible combination of volcanic landscapes and the ocean in the Azores! A dream.”
What are you looking to eternalize in every wedding you photograph?
“My work is rooted in storytelling, with a documentary heart and an editorial eye. So I blend the candid and the curated, so my galleries always feel magazine-worthy AND deeply personal. But to achieve this, there really needs to be a connection between me and the couple, so that they welcome me in their precious bubble, their personal space on the day and allow me to document the realness, the authenticity of them, their loved ones, and their experience.”