PHOTO AND VIDEO
MUZA
We are pleased
to present…
This Is Us, from the very first click, knew it didn’t want images that merely ‘looked beautiful.’ They wanted to create work that breathed emotion — telling invisible stories, revealing human connections, and carrying a sense of truth in every frame.
This approach was born from a sensitive gaze, attentive to what many do not notice: a restrained laugh before the ceremony, a tear of joy at the corner of an eye, the embrace of loved ones without words.
These are not posed moments. They are moments that happen only once — and that last forever.
It is in how the composition respects the honesty of the instant, and how the visual narrative unfolds without sacrificing naturalness. They don’t stage scenes; they perceive episodes, small narratives within a larger story.
The true secret of their art lies in connection — with the couples, with the emotions, and with the contexts. Before the day, they talk, listen, and align with the same emotional language. On the day, they are an almost invisible presence, yet always there. They know when to step closer and when to step back, when to anticipate a gesture, and when to simply let the moment exist. This fluidity reveals a deep respect for what is real — and that is exactly what you feel when looking at their work: not a collection of images, but a visual poem in motion.
For João and Daniela, a wedding is not just an event; it is a rich narrative of emotions, fragments of time that, when gathered, compose an emotional portrait of human love. They don’t film events — they capture experiences, translating them into images that endure as timeless art.
And that is why, when we watch a film or flip through an album created by This Is Us, we don’t just see beautiful photographs or sequences. We encounter truth, presence, and intensity — the echo of a moment lived to its fullest.
They don’t record what happened.
They eternalize what was felt.
This is the commitment of This Is Us:
not just to capture love — but to allow everyone to relive it in their most elegant, most emotional, most truthful version.
Where love becomes
timeless art…
João and Daniela, how did the project This Is Us Films come about, and how does ir reflect both your individual views and your collective vision?
This Is Us Films was born very naturally. It wasn’t something highly planned — it just happened.
João had already been working in wedding videography since 2011 and always had that constant desire to do things differently, to evolve, to find a more cinematic and sensitive way of telling stories.
Daniela grew up completely surrounded by photography and video, largely influenced by her father, and has always had a very emotional connection to what images represent: memories, family, moments that last.
When we started working together, we quickly realized that what was happening wasn’t just the combination of two perspectives. It was the birth of a third perspective. A new identity.
João is more technical, very connected to narrative and music. Daniela is more intuitive, more emotional, and highly attentive to people. It is precisely in this meeting that the language of This Is Us Films was born.
The name comes from that. This Is Us isn’t about us as a couple, but about the way we see others. Every film we create is an honest reflection of who those people are. We don’t try to impose an aesthetic — we aim to reveal identities.
Individually, we have different references and sensibilities. But together, we share the same obsession: telling real stories, with elegance, emotion, and cinematic intention.
In the end, This Is Us Films is the meeting point between two ways of feeling and a very clear way of storytelling.
The name “This Is Us” suggests a deeply personal narrative. What does it mean tou you?
The name This Is Us was actually inspired by the series This Is Us.
We are open fans and have always been deeply moved by the way the series tells stories — how it intertwines time, emotions, and the small details that turn out to be the most important. Some may find the series overly emotional, but for us it’s much more than that — it constantly reminds us of what really matters in life.
It’s so real for us that, many times, when we’re a little upset with each other, we sit down to watch an episode together… and end up hugging on the couch, making up. It’s almost a little ritual of ours. A small example of how the series affects us.
Beyond the direct reference, the name also reflects who we are as people and what we want to convey.
We love being with family and friends. We love intense moments, the kind that stay in your memory. We enjoy celebrating even the small achievements. And that is reflected a lot in how we see a wedding and how we film it.
In our films, we like to show not only the emotional side but also the lighter, crazier, more fun side. Because, at its core, This Is Us is exactly that: real people, real relationships, real emotions — with all that comes with it.
Over the years, how do you feel your aesthetic signature has evolved in photography and video?
Over the years, our aesthetic signature didn’t change overnight — it has been refined.
In the beginning, there was a strong desire to experiment, test references, and understand what made sense for us. Over time, that need gave way to something else: confidence. We began to understand more clearly who we are when filming and photographing, and that brought a lot of clarity.
Today, we work in a much simpler and more intentional way. We want to capture what is really happening, but do it in a visually thoughtful, beautiful, and coherent way that aligns with our language.
In video, this is very noticeable in how we use sound, music, and rhythm. The films have become more organic, with more space to breathe — for silence, for glances, for moments we might not have valued as much before.
Photography evolved differently: it actually became easier for us because we already had a very clear sense of our video identity. Our goal became to bring that same language, that same way of storytelling, into photography. Rather than thinking of isolated photographs, we began thinking in terms of moments, connections, and narrative — exactly as we do in films.
We also learned to control less and trust more — to trust the moment, the people, and what the day gives us. Perfect lighting is no longer a priority if the moment is genuine.
Ultimately, our aesthetic today balances both aspects: we remain attentive to the visual side, but the priority is always the people, the connections, and the moments unfolding in front of us.
When you create a wedding teaser ou trailer, what is the most important element for you: emotion, rhythm, music or narrative?
For us, there isn’t a single most important element — emotion, rhythm, music, and narrative are all part of the same construction.
Emotion is the starting point. It’s what we feel on the day and what we want people to feel when they watch the teaser.
Narrative gives meaning to everything. Even in a short video, we need to feel that there is a story unfolding — it’s not just a sequence of pretty images.
Music is what sets the tone. Often, it guides our choices, telling us whether a moment needs to breathe or to build intensity — and that’s usually where we spend the most time selecting.
Rhythm is what ties it all together. It makes the video flow naturally, without feeling forced, almost as if it’s happening on its own.
When editing a teaser, we don’t consider these elements separately. We think about how they intersect to create something that feels authentic, engaging, and full of identity.
For you, is there something that only a wedding in Portugal can offer, something other places cannot replicate? Why?
We genuinely believe that Portugal is an incredible country for weddings, whether for local couples or destination weddings. The climate, the light, the landscapes, the culture, the food and drink, the way people welcome you — everything contributes to creating a very special atmosphere around a wedding. It’s a small country, yet incredibly rich in diverse settings and environments, which makes it extremely appealing to those coming from abroad.
Still, there is one thing we notice a lot in our day-to-day work. A large part of the promotion of this sector doesn’t come from official entities — it comes from the professionals themselves. Photographers, videographers, wedding planners, venues, florists, musicians, makeup artists, caterers — it’s us who, every day, showcase Portugal to the world through our work.
We feel that the wedding industry has enormous potential as a way to promote the country internationally, but it is still not fully supported by entities such as Turismo de Portugal or other organizations responsible for national promotion.
There is a huge opportunity here to elevate weddings not just as private events, but as a true showcase of the very best Portugal has to offer.
What continues to excite you in this world after experiencing so many weddings so intensely?
What continues to excite us is the responsibility we feel every time we pick up a camera.
Knowing that the day will pass very quickly for those living it, but that what we capture will last forever. That awareness has never become “normal” for us — and perhaps that’s what keeps us so deeply connected to this work.
We’re also very inspired by the unpredictability. No matter how much experience we have, there is always something that surprises us: a reaction we didn’t expect, a moment that happens outside the plan, a connection between people that captures our attention.
At the end of the day, we remain excited because this has never become just a job. It still moves us.
Is there any couple’s story that, looking back, you consider a turning point in the way you think about emotional storytelling?
There was one wedding that deeply marked us because we had never witnessed anything like it before.
It was a couple and a family who were incredibly emotional. They were constantly hugging, crying, laughing, singing, shouting, dancing — everything with such genuine intensity. And we were there, often with goosebumps, witnessing it all.
What impacted us the most was that no one was worried about makeup, about wrinkled clothes from a tighter embrace, or about the “perfect” image. People were simply living the moment with one another.
There was an unbelievable atmosphere throughout the entire day — a very strong, very genuine energy that, at the same time, carried a natural, effortless elegance.
That wedding made us realize that, often, what matters most isn’t the most formal moments of the day, but the way people relate to each other. It made us slow down, observe more carefully, and value those spontaneous connections much more deeply.
Is there a typical wedding moment that you believe is underrated, yet holds immense narrative power?
It may not be exactly underrated, because everyone knows it’s important, but for us there is something truly special about the groom’s reaction when he sees the bride walking down the aisle.
Throughout the wedding preparations and even on the day itself, we almost always see grooms relaxed, calm, joking around, speaking normally. Even while getting ready, everything seems under control.
But in that specific moment, when the bride begins to walk in, there is a very visible shift. It’s as if everything else stops existing. The groom can no longer hide it, can no longer try to maintain composure, and begins to reveal a much more genuine and emotional side.
That nervous ness, the sparkle in his eyes, the way he breathes, how he tries to hold back his emotions — for us, that is a very raw truth of what he is feeling.
It’s an incredibly powerful narrative moment because, in just a few seconds, we can fully understand the real magnitude of that day for him.
How do you maintain an elegante and respectful presence during emotionally delicate moments?
In emotionally delicate moments, our priority is to go almost unnoticed. We remain as quiet as possible, in silence, without giving directions or interfering with what is happening.
We believe that the less we invade a moment, the more genuine it becomes. Our role there is not to direct, but to observe.
We simply focus on being attentive and ready to capture what is unfolding in the best possible way, while respecting people’s space and timing.
There is one very specific example we often mention in our workshop, which for us has become almost a rule: never placing ourselves between the groom and the bride during the ceremony entrance.
We know we could create very beautiful shots by walking in front of the bride — technically interesting compositions. But in that moment, we completely set aside the technical side to prioritize what we truly believe matters.
Often, it’s the first time the couple sees each other on their wedding day. The exchange of glances, the emotional weight of that instant, is worth far more than any shot where the groom is looking at the back of one of us.
In weddings with different cultures, languages and traditions, what is your starting point for understanding the essence of the couple?
When working with different cultures, languages, and traditions, the first thing we do is try to better understand that culture.
Often, it’s our first contact with that specific context, so we make an effort to study, research, and do our “homework” before the wedding. We want to understand the meaning behind certain moments, rituals, and dynamics that may be deeply important to the couple and their families.
We also frequently turn to friends and colleagues who have already worked within that culture, asking for their insights on what to value and which details require special attention.
Whenever possible, we ask the couple directly what matters most to them. And when we don’t have that level of proximity, we speak with the wedding planner to better understand what they expect from us.
Then, on the day itself, we combine that preparation with what we do best: observing people, relationships, and emotions — which are universal anywhere in the world.
Do you feel that destination weddings allow for a different kind of creative freedom? Why?
We do feel that destination weddings are different, but we wouldn’t necessarily say they give us more creative freedom.
They are different because they involve diverse cultures, different ways of experiencing a wedding, and often place value on elements that may not be as common in more traditional Portuguese weddings.
At the same time, we feel that nowadays many Portuguese couples’ weddings are already very close to that destination wedding concept. The exchange of vows, more symbolic ceremonies, and a strong focus on the overall experience and atmosphere of the day have become part of many weddings in Portugal.
So rather than being a matter of creative freedom, it’s more about context. Each wedding — whether destination or not — has its own dynamics, priorities, and energy. And that’s ultimately what influences the way we work.
Is there something you believe other professionals don’t always fully understand about the role of photography and video?
We believe that, often, what’s missing isn’t an understanding of the role of photography and video, but rather the ability to put oneself in another professional’s position.
For us, the foundation is very simple: to respect and to be respected in return.
Many situations could be easily resolved if, before acting, each professional asked themselves whether they would like that same action to interfere with their own work, or whether they would feel comfortable in that position.
We are all working on the same day, for the same couple. And when that awareness and mutual respect exist, everything flows much more naturally — for us, for the other professionals, and most importantly, for the couple.
If you could leave one piece of advice to couples, what would it be?
If we could leave one piece of advice to couples, it would be this: research thoroughly, explore a lot of work, and truly understand who you connect with. But once you make your choice, fully commit to it.
When there is genuine trust in the professionals accompanying you, the entire journey leading up to the wedding becomes lighter, calmer, and far more enjoyable. And that sense of ease is felt not only on the day itself, but also when you receive the final result.
Remember that the wedding is, above all, yours. It should reflect who you are and the way you experience the most important moments of your lives. Savor every second.
Nowadays, it’s easy to fall into the temptation of thinking about what will work best on social media. And that’s completely understandable. But as the years pass, what will truly matter is being able to revisit your day and feel once again everything you lived.
Trends change. What remains are the memories, the people, and the emotions you shared.
