NODE Creations

Patrícia and Miguel, how did the idea to found Node Creations come about?

After three years traveling across Europe and Asia with backpacks — a journey of self-discovery, photographing communities, projects, and hotels — we returned to Portugal for a friend’s wedding. They asked if we wanted to be their photographers/videographers! We were nervous at first since we’d never done anything like that before, but because we love a good challenge, we immediately said yes. After the wedding, on our way back home, we looked at each other and said at the same time: “I LOVED doing this — let’s do more!” And from there, ideas started flowing naturally. NODE was born from the need to capture moments with empathy, where creative direction feels light and natural, always keeping the couple’s story and personality at the heart of it.

Patrícia, besides being a photographer, you also have a personal account with over 50k followers. How do you balance both worlds?

I truly love what I do — above all, I love storytelling, whether it’s about people, places, or events — and that’s something I also bring into my personal page. I’d say the hardest part isn’t being both a content creator and a professional photographer, but managing all of that while being a mum. We have two kids (2 and 4 years old), and I still remember the weddings I did when they were tiny — they’d stay with their grandparents, but I was still breastfeeding at the time, so many times I’d be shooting ceremonies or cocktails with a breast pump under my outfit — no one ever noticed, and I never thought about stopping. That’s when I knew for sure this was the path I truly loved!

What motivated you to specialize in intimate and destination weddings?

We’ve always loved traveling, breaking rules, and avoiding the conventional. Intimate and destination weddings are the perfect opportunity for that! Couples who do things their own way, who bring their true selves and everything they love into the day — authentic, quirky, the main characters of their own story — those are the ones we attract and adore documenting.

How would you define your photography and videography style?

We don’t like to label ourselves into one style — we love to draw inspiration from different ones, from documentary (our foundation) to editorial and artistic, which reflect our true passion and personality. Our couples often say our approach feels authentic — that we manage to bring their vision to life — and that we have the perfect blend of poetic storytelling and artistic contemporary touches, capturing those in-between moments no one noticed, which make the photos and films feel intentional yet candid.

Which locations in Portugal do you find ideal for weddings, and why?

The venue sets the tone and mood for the entire day. We believe couples should move away from traditional wedding venues and choose spaces that give them the light and harmony they envision. Renting a hotel, choosing a lake, a beach, or even a family home can result in something far more personal and free — where they can shape the décor and flow exactly how they want. We love Sintra and Costa Vicentina — both completely different but with truly special light!

Is there a particular story or moment from a wedding that deeply marked you?

There’s one wedding we remember with so much affection — truly a “work of the universe,” as we like to say! About a year ago, Mafalda and Lourenço lost their original photo/video team, and we were recommended just a month before the big day. Normally, we wouldn’t take a booking that close to the date, but after meeting them and feeling their amazing energy, we said yes — even though we had a wedding the day before! We went to Braga completely exhausted. The day started early with a church ceremony, and things didn’t go smoothly — the bride was unhappy with the décor, lighting, and even missing a cocktail musician. We immediately went into empathy mode (there was no wedding planner) and stepped in — we talked to the venue coordinator, the DJ, fixed the lighting, and made sure everything was exactly as she wanted. From that moment, the energy changed — we connected deeply with the couple and their guests, joined in conversations and gin rounds, and ended up staying until 6 a.m.! The next day, we had breakfast together and planned a lunch — we became great friends, and next year, they’ll actually be our wedding godparents!

What have been your biggest challenges when working in unfamiliar locations, and how do you overcome them?

Those are actually our favorite challenges — we love arriving somewhere new and exploring! We take a lot from what we’ve learned while traveling: we talk to locals, blend in with guests, and end up hearing incredible stories about the couple — or finishing the night dancing alongside them!

Is there a place or destination you still dream of capturing a wedding in?

We’d love to photograph a wedding in Asia — it’s where we traveled for two years with our backpacks and no return ticket. We know that when the time is right, the opportunity will come.

We know you’re getting married — Patrícia, how did it feel to be proposed to?

I always said I didn’t want to get married, mainly because of how marriage was “presented” to me growing up — divorced grandparents, domestic abuse, unhappiness, and the ripple effects that reach the children and grandchildren. But with NODE, I discovered the true meaning of marriage. And with Miguel, I could actually imagine it. After 10 years together, he proposed at sunset in Greece — and I knew that if I were ever to marry, it could only be him. It was a mix of nerves and joy — an easy yes, but an emotional one.

Now that you’re the ones getting married — how does it feel to choose someone for a job that’s usually yours?

Honestly, it was one of the hardest decisions — and it made us appreciate our own work even more. We’ll have people there seeing all of us — from the emotional, intimate moments to the wild dance floor — capturing it all as it truly is. It reinforced what we always say: before being photographers or videographers, you must first be deeply human. That’s what, alongside professionalism, makes all the difference.

Can you give us a little spoiler about your big day?

We can say that our wedding will take place here in Portugal — and it’ll actually be the first wedding ever hosted at that venue! Stay tuned for September next year!

And about the future of Node Creations — any upcoming projects or dreams you can share?

We’ve built NODE in a very personal, distinct way — it’s truly our own project — and every extra shooter who works with us says the same: that our approach feels different, human, and intimate in a way they’ve never seen before. We plan to share that experience and knowledge with others. We don’t want to teach camera settings or lighting techniques — we want to teach photographers and videographers how to offer couples a light, authentic experience, how to position themselves in key moments with minimal intervention yet powerful results, and how to attract exactly the kind of people they want to work with.