André Teixeira

Portuguese destination wedding photographer and Canon Ambassador André Teixeira has travelled the globe with his camera, celebrating love in some of the world's most spectacular settings.

With an impressive career that has seen him cover more than 300 weddings in two decades, André has an enviable portfolio. Today, the Canon Ambassador is renowned for his striking, ethereal images which catch the attention of couples living many thousands of miles away.

With the advent of digital photography, André took a step back from the industry, feeling the medium had left talented photographers second-guessing their work. A break turned out to be just what he needed – and it paved the way for discovering his true forte.

"I was asked to do an engagement shoot a few years later, and that's when I fell in love again with having the camera in my hands," says André. "I was doing it for fun. I was like a new person with a new perspective and a new love for wedding photography. It helped me to build a fresh photographic career."

André and his partner Sofia, an interior designer, set up their own creative studio, BrancoPrata, in 2003. Today, his work takes him all over the globe and his photographs have been featured in notable publications including Brides, Vogue and Martha Stewart Weddings. His portfolio also boasts an Inside Weddings cover shoot, encapsulating a destination wedding in Puerto Rico.

"It's indescribable to go to a newsstand and see our photo on an international wedding magazine," he says. "We don't work for this, but when it happens, I'm so proud."

When it comes to kit, André still uses the same trustworthy Canon EOS-1N which he first picked up as a photojournalist. "I'm not that usual photographer who shoots thousands of photos on a wedding day, because I also still shoot film," he says. "The Canon EOS-1N never fails me."

In addition to his trusty Canon EOS-1N, André also shoots with a Canon EOS R and a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (now succeeded by the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV). He also uses the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with his wide range of EF lenses.

"The experience of being a photojournalist has given me the ability to wait for that decisive moment," he says. "Obviously, there are a lot of things that can go wrong – the light, the weather – but I'm always prepared for those situations. That's the beauty of weddings. When you have something that doesn't go to plan, it's all about trying to create something beautiful from something unexpected."

Working on around 14 weddings per year leaves time for André's other projects, which include portrait work and advertising. As for the future? "The only thing I truly want is to be as excited as I am now," he says. "My ambition is just doing my job and loving it as much as I do now."

What would you say are the key elements to successful wedding photography?

"Make sure your clients trust you 100%. If they're stressing about the photography too much it can be harder to achieve what you want. Light is very important, so you need to carefully choose where to shoot. Preparing everything in advance is key, so on the day everyone is more relaxed and then you can capture it all unfolding."


You've photographed more than 300 weddings across the world. What is it like to shoot destination weddings?

"Travelling the world to shoot something that is so special is a huge responsibility. My first wedding outside of Portugal was in New Zealand. Travelling for two days to the other side of the world was scary at that time, but it was a turning point in my career. It's extremely rewarding for a photographer to participate in one of the best days that a couple will ever have."


How do you make yourself stand out in what is an incredibly competitive industry?

"Consistency is key. If you're changing your style, people look at the images and don't relate it to you. Sometimes people say: 'Oh I saw this image and even before I saw the name of the photographer, I knew it was yours'. My inspiration doesn't come from the wedding industry at all – I'm inspired by a range of photographers."


What do you think the wedding industry is missing at the moment?

"I think people are obsessed with making everything perfect – sometimes imperfect can be so much more authentic. People work like robots – the perfect flowers, the perfect make-up, getting the perfect shot – and they forget that it's also a huge family reunion, with best friends coming together. Whether it's a small gathering or a big wedding, it's best to be more in tune with what's happening and embrace the imperfection, the things that won't go as planned. Sometimes people want to create the perfect magazine shot – forget about that."

André Teixeira

"Never forget who you're working for. You're working for people, not a magazine. I know that the most important photos for a couple might not be the ones that make the cover of a magazine – it's often something more personal. As a wedding photographer, you can't forget those key moments. Just be present, don't overthink it and enjoy the day as much as they do."

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Website: www.brancoprata.com