Model test shoot with Lucie. Algarve west coast beach, Portugal. Photography and Video by Matt + Lena
Wedding & Lifestyle Photography
Algarve, Portugal
Model test shoot with Lucie. Algarve west coast beach, Portugal. Photography and Video by Matt + Lena
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A Decade of Love, Sab and Nick’s Destination Engagement Session in the Algarve.
Some love stories feel like they are written in the stars. For this Canadian pair, their journey began when they were just teenagers. To celebrate a decade of being together, they chose Portugal as the backdrop for their engagement session.
Exploring the romantic landscapes of the Algarve coast felt like an adventure, one that mirrored the journey they’ve shared over the past decade.
August in the Algarve offers endless golden light that stretches into the late evening. We started their session on one of the region’s iconic beaches, where the hustle and bustle of summer crowds added a unique charm to the shoot. Instead of shying away from the energy, we embraced it, letting the silhouettes of beachgoers frame the couple’s playful interactions. But as the sun began its descent, the crowds thinned, and we found quiet corners that allowed their chemistry to shine in a more intimate way.
We loved capturing the couples chemistry and joy, incorporating the landscapes and atmosphere that make these moments unique. The Algarve, with its endless beaches, stunning cliffs, and golden light, provided the perfect canvas.
We’re honoured to have captured a bit of Nick and Sab’s love journey, telling the story of their engagement, a perfect balance of love, humour, and genuine connection. Here’s to this amazing couple and their next chapter back home—we’re certain their wedding will be most magical!
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An ethereal love story in Portugal, a destination elopement in the Algarve.
The day unfolded at the Palacio de Estoi, an old palace with timeless charm.
May’s arrival brought with it an added layer of romance, bursts of flowers blooming on the trees, creating a whimsical feel. Standing on the palace grounds, surrounded by nature and history, the couple exchanged promises of forever.
The bride’s dress was the epitome of elegance with a twist. Its delicate silhouette flowed effortlessly, but the pièce de résistance was a pair of ethereal “wings” that trailed behind her.
The soft pink of the palace, the vibrant greens of the gardens, and the pops of flowers created a color palette straight out of a dream.
After the ceremony, the celebration took a distinctly Algarve twist. The couple headed to Carvoeiro, a charming seaside town known for its dramatic clifftops and laid-back vibe. The rocky cliffs and sweeping ocean views provided a striking contrast to the refined elegance of the pink palace.
In town while strolling the cobbled stone streets, they grabbed ice creams, laughed under the warm Algarve sun, and found a quaint coffee shop where they indulged in small plates of tapas. It was a perfect day, celebrating their love.
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Wedding Venue: Palacio De Estoi | Wedding Gown: Essence of Australia | Muah: Bianca Pereira
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Fashion Editorial for Moevir magazine, Chasing The Algarve Sun.
Model Kristina @kristinasofia_
Muah Nicole Soares @nicolesoaresmkp
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Published in Moevir’s magazine’s print issue, this swim and beachwear collection captures the essence of Portugal’s sun-drenched allure. This isn’t just about fashion; it’s a lifestyle movement.
Kristina, a professional basketball player and model, graced the shores with her natural poise, bringing athletic elegance to every shot. Her presence, combined with the Algarve’s golden sands and emerald waters, created a stunning canvas of style and sport. Her dynamic energy and natural charisma made this shoot more than showcasing swimwear; it captures the essence of living boldly.
Algarve, with its endless sunshine, epic beaches, and dramatic coastlines is a paradise for swimwear brands. We photographed this editorial in Alvor, right when summer starts to mellow, giving us those perfect golden hour vibes.
Shooting in Portugal, we’re constantly inspired by its fusion of old-world charm and modern edge. Algarve is the place where style meets soul.
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A day at the beach with Sara, Derek and their two spirited little ones. While on holiday in Portugal this sweet family unit from Texas explored the coastline from Lisbon to the Algarve. In an adventurously fun session we captured a little bit of their family magic, the smiles, the tears, the cookie bribes and the love.
On the golden sands of Portugal’s Algarve we captures some of the family togetherness, bursts of giggles and playfulness in the sea.
With the ocean’s waves and grand rock formations as a backdrop, we captured the two little ones, mesmerised not by the stunning landscape but by their cartoons, creating a humorous contrast to the natural beauty around them. It was a reminder that sometimes, even in the most picturesque of settings, the simple joys of childhood reign supreme!
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What our couples have to say about us
We are immensely grateful for the exceptional work of Matt and Lena, our wedding photographers. Their talent and dedication shone through as they skillfully captured every precious moment of our special day. The photos are not just images; they are beautiful memories that transport us back to the joy, emotion, and beauty of our celebration. Matt and Lena's professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail exceeded our expectations. We wholeheartedly recommend them to couples seeking photographers who can turn their wedding moments into timeless treasures. Thank you, Matt and Lena, for beautifully documenting the magic of our day!
Zachary Polonus Zack + Melody West Cost Engagement
We had such a wonderful experience with Matt and Lena! They are such passionate and amiable people and totally incredible photographers. The proof is in the pictures and they were beyond our greatest expectation!
Shea Cole Shea + Felix Wedding in Monchique, Portugal
Everyone at our wedding commented on how great they were and the fact that they stayed until the very end capturing photos of our event. The photos are breathtaking, and people are still raving over them. They made us a slide show with music, and our family members keep playing it over and over at every event and saying how it was the most beautiful day. Matt & Lena captured it perfectly. Our album reads like a storybook. Thank you Matt & Lena!
Jessica Boland Jess + Bruce Algarve Engagement
Matt and Lena picked the most amazing beach for our shoot - somewhere we would have never discovered otherwise. We had so much fun and they made us feel really comfortable. It was overall an amazing experience and I would definitely love to work with them again if we are back in Portugal!
Jessie Hawthorn Jessie and Jonathan, Wedding in Luz, Portugal
Matt + Lena were so amazing to work with before, during and after the wedding! They paid so much attention to detail and really listened to ensure we were happy with our pictures. My husband and I came from Canada to get married in the Algarve so we didn't have the chance to meet with Matt + Lena in person ahead of time. I could tell by their pictures (of course they are stunning!!) but also their professionalism, prompt email responses and overall ease of communication that it was going to be a perfect fit! We were thrilled with our beautiful pictures and have received so many compliments that they look like pictures out of a magazine and that they truly capture our love and the story of our big day! They scouted out all the great spots for us ahead of time, ensuring the lighting would be just right, and I just adore their style of photography - so natural and genuine. Thank you again so much for giving us these pictures we will cherish forever!! xx
Adam Cummings Maria + Adam, Wedding in Sintra, Portugal
We got married at the Quinta in Cintra and my wife found Matt and Lena somehow on the internet. In all the craziness of organising a wedding, they were one of the few constants. Always organized, and very prepared (they even went on a trip from Alvor to Lisbon to check out the light in the area!). The wedding day was exceptional as they popped up around the place like Ninjas - you will never be able to see them both - making sure to get loads of genuine shots of everyone from dawn til dusk. Very highly recommended
Laur D Laura and Jonathon, Elopement in the Algarve
My husband and I traveled from Toronto to Portugal for our elopement and we were so fortunate that Matt and Lena were available on our wedding day. Throughout the booking process they were quick to respond to emails and set a Skype date to go over all of the logistics for our day, as well as to answer any questions we had - and we had a lot! Matt and Lena were very social and created a comfortable environment which was great since it was just the four of us during the six hour photo shoot. The photos turned out stunning and we have received compliments from everyone who has seen them. The photos really captured the nuance moments throughout the day in a very natural way and we will cherish them forever. Thank you Matt and Lena for being part of our day and for making the experience such a pleasure!
Natacha Manuel Natacha + Manuel, Beach Wedding Algarve
Matt and Lena were recommended to us by our wedding planner, Susana Santos. We were sold from the get-go (just take a look at their beautiful pictures!), and meeting them in person only reaffirmed that we had made the right decision. We were a bit iffy about doing an engagement shoot but it was a great idea in the end as we got to be very comfortable with Matt and Lena which made things far easier on the actual wedding day! The pictures are fabulous and a year after our wedding people are still commenting on just how beautiful the photos are. All in all, definitely a great choice and we heartily recommend them to anyone who is getting married! In fact, a couple who were at our wedding ended up booking them for their wedding! :)
Jelena Pinto Jelena + Joao, Wedding at Os Agostos, Portugal
Me and my husband got married last year in the south of Portugal and we still have family and friends raving about the beauty and elegance of our photographs. Matt and Lena take photographs that we will cherish forever. They are also a pleasure to work with. They make you feel comfortable and they get to know your style and personality. What first caught my eye about their work is the romantic feel and lighting of each photograph. Each photograph feels set in a natural and authentic manner. It's a staple of their professionalism and dedication to the work they do. Thank you Matt and Lena for your dedication and grace on our special day. :D
