Capturing Family Portraits: A Celebration of Love in Old San Juan

Momma bear and her two cubs

     Family portraits hold a special place in the hearts of both the families who pose and the photographers who capture them. Recently, I had the privilege of photographing a beautiful family session in the heart of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The session featured a mother and her two young sons, set against the vibrant, historic streets of this enchanting city. Old San Juan’s cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and rich cultural heritage provided the perfect backdrop for this family’s story, turning each photo into a timeless memory.

     In every family session, there’s a deep sense of connection that shines through in the final images. But there's something truly unique about photographing single mothers with their children. Single moms embody resilience, love, and strength. These qualities were beautifully expressed by the mother I had the honor of working with during this session. Her bond with her sons was palpable, a testament to the love that keeps families like hers thriving. Celebrating these intimate moments between her and her boys was a reminder of why family portraiture is so meaningful.

     A great family portrait session is about more than just taking pretty pictures. It's about capturing the essence of a family—its joys, challenges, and the moments that bring them together. For single mothers, these moments are often hard-earned and deeply cherished. Family portrait sessions become a way to freeze time, to look back and reflect on the love that overcomes adversity. Every photograph becomes a tribute to the mother’s strength and her ability to nurture and protect her children.

     As a wedding photographer based in Puerto Rico, my primary focus is often on capturing the love stories of couples as they begin their married life together. However, family portraiture has always been a passion of mine. In between the beautiful weddings I photograph across Puerto Rico, I make time for family sessions. There’s something incredibly rewarding about capturing the joy and love within a family, especially in such stunning locations as Old San Juan.

     The vibrant and historic streets of Puerto Rico provide a one-of-a-kind setting for family portraits. The colorful Spanish colonial architecture, the serene ocean views, and the rich cultural history add layers of depth to each shot. Old San Juan, in particular, offers a fusion of heritage and charm, which elevates every family session into something unforgettable. Whether it's a playful moment between siblings or a quiet, heartfelt glance shared between a mother and her child, the beauty of Puerto Rico enhances these moments, making them timeless.

     Family portraiture is about more than documenting a family’s appearance at a particular moment in time; it’s about telling their story. Single mothers, especially, have stories that deserve to be told. They embody dedication, hard work, and unconditional love, often serving as both mother and father to their children. Highlighting this journey through photography is a privilege and an honor, one I am always excited to undertake.

The flower garden

     Between my wedding photography sessions, capturing families like this one is not just a change of pace but a joyful experience. Wedding photography celebrates the beginning of a new family, while family portraiture celebrates the ongoing journey. It’s the perfect complement to my work as a wedding photographer in Puerto Rico, reminding me that love comes in many forms and all deserve to be beautifully captured.

     Photographing families, particularly single-parent families, brings an added sense of responsibility. I want every image to reflect the love, the strength, and the joy that these families share. Single mothers, in particular, deserve to have their incredible journey celebrated through photography. Each session is a chance to honor their devotion and the unique bond they have with their children.

     If you're a single mother, or a family looking to preserve your story through photography, know that family portrait sessions are an opportunity to celebrate your love and connection. The experience is about more than the photos themselves; it's about taking time to appreciate your family as it is right now. In Puerto Rico, with its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, there is no better place to capture those moments.

“Ok, make a funny face!”

     While I dedicate much of my time to destination weddings in Puerto Rico, family portrait sessions remain one of my favorite aspects of being a photographer. Whether it's on the cobbled streets of Old San Juan or a serene beach at sunset, these sessions are a chance to freeze time, capturing the love that binds a family together. For single moms, these moments are even more powerful—a testament to their strength, courage, and endless love.

The Best Thing After A Destination Wedding in Puerto Rico Is A Surprise Marriage Proposal

Angelica said YES to Ivan! 💍

I’ve always believed that everything has an origin.

     Love has a mysterious way of creeping up on us when we least expect it. More importantly, it has the power to be cemented in perpetuity with one proposing the everlasting kind to another, seemingly out of the blue. This is why I am (and forever will be) a sucker for a great surprise wedding proposal. I’ve shot quite a few in the last couple of months and, after a wedding, it’s my favorite event to photograph for a few reasons I’d like to share. 

First and foremost, as a surprise wedding proposal photographer in Puerto Rico, I receive that initial, important phone call from a groom-to-be letting me know that they’re interested in getting down on one knee. This is an exciting moment for me because the first thing that pops into my head is that magical moment in which I forecast a resounding yes in my head; I can actually see the moment happening while manifesting it. Admittedly it gives me butterflies knowing I’ll have a front row seat to a couple’s forever.

That’s when the magic begins to happen.

For the most part, this is when the planning commences. A groom will usually already have a location in mind, one with which I’m very familiar for his surprise marriage proposal; if he has yet to land on a venue he likes, I’ll gladly suggest one that’s rich in scenery and mildly frequented. He, himself, has already chosen his ring and is comfortable with the idea of kneeling in front of his lady. What ensues is the logistics that will encompass that special day ahead. Location, timing and queues are all crucial in a successful outcome for me as a wedding photographer in Puerto Rico.

Dayana said YES to Ryan! 💍

Once the location is agreed upon, I take it upon myself to recall what the best spots for the action to happen are or scout the place a few days ahead to gauge a possible site. After this has been done, a day and time must be chosen in order for a Puerto Rico wedding photographer like myself to arrive about an hour early and decide my vantage point. This is paramount when it comes to surprise marriage proposals because of the fact that I must know everything from lighting conditions and sunset times to foot traffic and angles.

Then I wait patiently for the moment to arrive.

The last thing the groom and I must agree on is the queue: that ever-so-subtle signal that the moment of truth is around the corner. In the past, this has been done by a quick wink in my direction, a few rubs of their beard and even a fixing of the trousers! There are no limits to how I’m notified and it’s my job to be ready at all times. Sometimes the nerves get the best of the groom and I need to have that quick trigger finger on my camera to make sure I don’t miss it. Although this may very well be the most stressful situation a lover may encounter before their wedding in Puerto Rico, by no means is it easy on me. Fortunately, I’ve always stood my ground, kept a good, safe distance from the couple and snapped away some of the most precious moments of my career.

Tay said YES to Tife! 💍

Weddings to me will always ride shotgun when it comes to my photography; there’s no doubt about that. They are the pinnacle of love and hold a place near and dear to my heart. Surprise marriage proposals, however, although much shorter are just as sweet and heighten the passion for what I do. If you’re considering Puerto Rico as your surprise marriage proposal destination, please don’t hesitate to reach out and see if we’re a good match. Let’s make this happen…together!

Elopement or Destination Wedding: Which One Is Right For YOU?

Let’s decide…together.

Regardless of where you stand, your nuptials are going to be special. I first should lead with that because, in these times of uncertainty, it’s comforting to know you’ll have someone who has your best interests at heart. That’s me: my name is Francis and I’m a destination wedding photographer in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If you're coming across these words, chances are you’re also considering coming to this enchanted island for a coveted bride and groom getaway and you know what? I don’t blame you: this is paradise.

The question is: how will you be celebrating it?

This is where I come in. After being a photographer in Puerto Rico, I’ve had the privilege and honor of capturing some of the most grounded and fascinating couples to which list I would love to add you. In this short article I’ve prepared, I’m going to pinpoint the deciding factors of whether you should choose to have a cozy, intimate elopement with your closest friends and relatives or if you should go all out and have the wedding you’ve always wanted. I’ll be outlining some pros and cons of both for benefit; this way you’ll have the most important talking points clear before you reach out to me.

1. Planning

Let’s get organized…

It goes without saying but, for all intents and purposes, I will: it doesn’t matter if you go with elopement or destination wedding, planning is going to be crucial. Nuptials that are not well planned and shot from the hip are bound to be a disaster regardless of size. Granted, I think it’s safe to say that an elopement will require a lot less planning than even a micro-wedding (four hours or less). That does not necessarily say that you should wing it and be spontaneous on the spot either. In this section we’ll be discussing how planning is always going to be a part of the equation and how the tasks of putting together a timeline may ultimately affect the way you lean.

Elopements are much less convoluted than any style of wedding and rightfully so. An elopement is usually done on a whim and is something that comes naturally to couples. Partners who are more laidback and relaxed as far as their relationships are concerned tend to choose elopements over a wedding simply because they won’t want to get tangled up “in a hot mess”. Elopements are shorter and this require much less attention to detail as opposed to weddings. I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that an elopement can be planned in literally a day if you do it right. All you really need is to book a flight to Puerto Rico (which can take minutes if you fly often), check out a venue you like and book a suite and finally hire an officiant to take care of business for you. That’s exactly what my couple Anthony & Joanna did when they paid me a visit at Copamarina last year. Fun fact: I was one of their witnesses! The extra mile can also be applied by asking just a handful of folks to tag along but, for the most part, the planning for elopements is easy, quick and should constitute no more than 10 people.

Weddings, on the other hand, is a whole different story. From micro-weddings to more lavish ones, the planning can be quite overwhelming depending on just how complex you’d like your special day. Based on my experience as a wedding photographer in Puerto Rico, most couples usually resort to the hiring of a wedding planner to do all the heavy lifting. This takes a load off and makes the planning more enjoyable for the fact that you’re paying someone to do it for you. A wedding planner is tasked with most of the more important aspects of your wedding such as picking the venue, the photographer/videographer, DJ, catering, decor, etc. The list goes on and on depending on the magnitude of your special day but I’m sure you get the picture.

Choosing to put all of this on your shoulders can be a daunting feat but the good news is that you get to decide just how big that weight is since you’re in control one hundred percent of the time. Not delegating does have its benefits and one of those is being behind the wheel of the vision you’ve had in your head this entire time. This may prove to be useful if you’re in the business of not butting heads with anyone and prefer having a bird’s eye view for the day to come. Conversely, having that person by your side who is equally invested in you will go above and beyond to make that happen.

2. Investment

Money matters…

Let’s not cover the sky with your hand here: both options on the table will put a dent on your finances. From a simple, one-hour elopement to a ten hour destination wedding, either choice will not come cheap. This section isn’t about money as much as it involves deciding just how much you’re willing to invest in a day that will (hopefully) come once in your life. A few factors to consider when taking budget into consideration is your current financial state of affairs. If you’ve got a heavy mortgage, paying a premium on a luxury vehicle, up to your neck in student debt or simply lack the savings on which to fall back, then eloping with a handful of folks or, at most, having a micro-wedding is going to look like a viable option.

Like with all matters of life, there’s a flip side to every coin. If you’re one of those couples that has always wanted to experience getting married like royalty and/or you’re affluent enough that a few thousands wouldn’t matter as much then a full-blown wedding might just be up your alley. What exactly does that entail? Well, for starters hiring a solid planner to tie up loose ends is a good start. Right after that comes entrusting the documentation to a reknowned Puerto Rico destination wedding photographer like myself. If you’re willing to spend this amount of money to commemorate your big day, the last thing you want to do is to allocate that responsibility to someone not experienced enough to know what they’re doing. Details, getting ready, first looks, the ceremony, bride and groom sessions, cocktail hour and reception are all moments that you’re going to want to capture and coverage like that will not be inexpensive. Add to that the venue rental, catering, musicians, floral arrangements and all of a sudden you’re looking at a pretty penny.

At the end of the day, what matters is how you feel, not what you spent.

One thing is certain: money comes and goes. When it’s all said and done you have to check the wallet and ask yourself one very important question: if I’m going to do this only once, will I be happy with something low-key and modest or will I eventually regret not having the wedding of my dreams? Only you can answer that.

Whatever you choose, make sure it will make you happy.

Make it special…