Raul Santos Raul Santos

Miriane Sauer in Italy

Miriane Sauer sessions in Venice, Florence & Milan

Venice

Florence

Milan

Read More
Raul Santos Raul Santos

Venice in black and white

Engagement in Venice for her birthday

After so many dry weeks since Christmas the change in the weather with more cloudy days brought some hope for rain. For us photographers this is usually not good news.

I had Georgia and Luca's photo shooting booked only 1 day in advance and as it was a gift for her birthday. It could be not rescheduled.

Fortunately it did not rain, but it was quite cloudy, which makes it difficult to show the full potential of Venice's colors.

Not less interesting, I was able to work the photos with a more dramatic tone that works very well to reveal the romanticism of a couple in love.

After delivering the photos I had the idea of working on a small selection completely in black and white. I hope you enjoy!

Read More
Raul Santos Raul Santos

Nice walking in Venice

Afroditi & George, a lovely couple from Greek 🇬🇷. We have spent a very nice walk on the streets of Venice.

Σας ευχαριστώ!

#venice #venezia #photoshooting #raulsantos #photographerinvenice #shotz_of_veneto #ig_venezia #greeksinitaly #φωτογράφος

Read More
Raul Santos Raul Santos

Proposal in Venice on a traditional Venetian gondola

Alina & Nathan, from USA at their engagement travel in Italy

As soon as I started working as a surprise wedding proposal photographer I knew it was always going to be a challenge. Although it's not always 100% surprise, as the fiancee already expects that during that trip, at some point the proposal will happen, I always need to treat the situation as being a surprise.

When Nathan hired me to photograph his proposal he told me he would like it to be in a gondola in Venice. He and Alina are North Americans. I am always curious how the guy manages to hide the little box with the engagement ring during the trip. I had already photographed requests in the gondola, but always together with the couple, which makes the surprise even more difficult. This time we agreed that I would follow the route from outside and photograph along the canals and bridges of Venice. It was a different and very rewarding experience, as I was able to offer different photos than usual.

Read More
Travel, Vacation Photography, Venice Raul Santos Travel, Vacation Photography, Venice Raul Santos

Rediscovering a place

We know that doing the same things over and over again is creating a routine. For work this often helps us. We save time and effort. For creative work, however, leaning on the guaranteed outcome of a routine can be quite dangerous. It may work for a while, but we know that our clients trust their moments to someone who - besides good photos - will guide them through some paths a little different from common sense, always looking for a beautiful, pleasant result that reflects the feelings involved in that occasion.

As we work in many cities, I often don't know anything about the place where I'm travelling to photograph. I end up studying and researching as much as possible about the city and its points of interest.

But when it comes to a big city in Italy, like Milan, Venice, Rome or Florence, we tend to think we already know almost everything. To do a 30 minute, 1 or 2 hour photo session it helps a lot, but we can't always have the same photos and the same poses in the portfolio. We need to create something different in those same places and whenever possible get to know new ones.

I've been researching more about Venice, a city that is so requested for photos. And I've realized that there's still a lot to see. And even though most of the clients will ask for photos in front of the Basilica of San Marco, besides the different angles that we can create there, it's always nice to include in the photo shoot a different place from the path through which everyone passes and come back with photos in the suitcase much more dynamic and creative.

In August we already have some photo shootings scheduled for Venice, and I can't wait to explore new perspectives in this enchanting city.

Read More
italy, Travel, Vacation Photography Raul Santos italy, Travel, Vacation Photography Raul Santos

Honeymoon photo shoot in Venice

Honeymoon 1 hour shooting in Venice

With a consistent reduction in cases of covid-19 across the country, Italy is once again re-establishing tourism by allowing travellers from some countries, including the United States, Canada and Australia. The most popular destinations remain Venice, Florence and Rome, with the Veneto Capital seemingly the favourite for honeymooners.

Alyssa and Lucian came from California to spend their honeymoon in Venice, and we had the pleasure to photograph them. They chose the 1 hour photo package, which is enough to cover most of the major sights of this beautiful city. When we schedule the photo shooting I try to identify with the clients the kind of photos they are looking for, if they are more fun or romantic, posed or spontaneous, and so the travel photographer in Venice can define the best route and times to suggest and make the experience as pleasant as possible without giving up a beautiful photo gallery to remember the dream trip.

Read More

Surprise Proposal shootings are back!

Surprise photographer for proposal in Italy

Surprise photographer for proposal in Italy

We are getting requests for surprise proposal photos again. This kind of photo is always a challenge because it is, in fact, a surprise and we need to be close without giving the impression that we are photographers. To be present in front of these kind reactions is a great gift for our work.

I can't remember exactly when was the first time I photographed a surprise marriage proposal. But I remember that as soon as I received the request, I loved the idea and days before the photos I was already anxious. I was a Secret Photographer for Proposal.

It was an idea that came naturally, to suggest being close to the scene as a tourist (and not as a photographer). Thus, the couple would position themselves in the place that I had previously indicated and the groom would ask me to take a picture of them with his phone.

I would readily accept and ask them to take a photo looking at each other. That was the "key" for the groom to get down on one knee and propose.

Over the years there have been more challenging situations than others, but the result is always surprising, and fortunately until today all requests have been accepted! :0)

If you are thinking of making a surprise proposal in any city in Italy or Europe in general we are at your disposal to discuss the details and choose the best scenarios with you and keep the occasion a surprise until the moment of unveiling.

Read More