Ana and João recently celebrated one month since their engagement in Paris!
There were so many beautiful photos beyond the ones shared on my Instagram that I felt like bringing a more complete story here on the website.
On October 2nd, the couple celebrated four years together. They traveled to Paris, strolled through the city, and had dinner at a fancy restaurant. Happy but tired from the time difference, their plan was to go back to the hotel after dinner.
However, something else was about to happen — and only João knew. He had crafted an elaborate plan to surprise his girlfriend.
In the Uber (which, in fact, wasn’t a real Uber but João’s accomplice), he pretended to argue with the driver, who ended up “dropping them off” midway — right in front of the Eiffel Tower.
It was exactly 10 p.m. — and the setting was perfect: the Eiffel Tower was sparkling.
That’s when I stepped into the story.
I approached the couple and offered to take some photos of them. I explained that I was testing some lighting, and they seemed like the perfect models — and they even spoke Portuguese, just like me!
At first, they hesitated. They were still processing the “argument” with the driver. But everything had been planned — João wanted the surprise to be absolutely perfect, and Ana couldn’t suspect a thing.
Eventually, João came back to me, and we aligned everything.
I placed them in position and took a first test shot to make sure my settings were right. Then I told Ana that I wasn’t there by chance — and handed her a few printed notes João had asked me to prepare.
In them, he explained that everything that had happened so far was part of a surprise plan that would end with a proposal — his marriage proposal in Paris!
You can probably imagine the rest!
As Ana finished reading, João was already kneeling in front of her, holding a stunning engagement ring.
It was a wave of pure emotion — laughter, smiles, and tears all at once.
Until that moment, I didn’t know them personally, but I immediately felt how many people follow and root for them, both in real life and on social media, ever since their young love began.
Their connection and love radiate in a way that truly makes you believe in romance.
Two days later, we met again to create a new series of images — full of love, joy, tenderness, and meaning. We chose Île de la Cité as our backdrop — my favorite part of the city. The river, the narrow streets, the bridges, and the cafés all look as if they were taken straight from a movie scene.
It was such a beautiful experience for me (and I believe for them too) to meet again in two completely different moods — the adrenaline and excitement of the surprise, and the serenity of a love already settled and celebrated.
We were blessed with a glorious autumn day — sunny and rare in Paris.
And once again, their connection was so natural and present that photographing them was pure joy for me — a photographer who lives to witness and capture real love stories.
