Solo Travel in Lisbon: Why Booking a Photographer Is Worth It
Travelling alone in Lisbon has its advantages. You can spend an entire morning wandering through Alfama, stop for a coffee whenever you feel like it, take a wrong turn without having to explain yourself, or sit by the river for half an hour doing absolutely nothing. Nobody is waiting for you, and you don’t need to agree on every little detail with another person.
There is just one small problem when it comes to photographs: you’re usually not in them.
You can take hundreds of pictures of Lisbon, from its tiled buildings and narrow streets to the viewpoints overlooking the red rooftops. You might ask a stranger to take a photo of you, too. Sometimes it works out well. Sometimes you end up with half a building, a strange angle, or a picture that doesn’t quite look the way you imagined.
That’s one reason solo travellers book a photographer in Lisbon. Not because they need a professional picture at every corner, but because they want a few good photographs of themselves in a city they’ve made the effort to visit.
It’s nice to have photos of yourself, not just the places you visited
When you travel alone, your camera roll can become a collection of buildings, food, streets and landscapes. They’re all part of the trip, of course, but you may come home with very few photographs showing that you were actually there.
A photoshoot gives you something different. You can have portraits in the streets of Alfama, a more relaxed picture at a viewpoint, or a few photographs walking through the city rather than standing in front of a landmark and looking at the camera.
You don’t need to be a model, either. Most people who book a solo photoshoot aren’t professional models and don’t spend their free time posing in front of a camera. Some feel awkward at first, especially if they’ve never had a proper portrait session before. That’s completely normal.
The aim isn’t to make you look like somebody else. It’s to get photographs that feel like you, with Lisbon as the setting.
Where should you have your photos taken?
Alfama is an obvious choice, and for good reason. Its narrow streets, old buildings, staircases and changing light give you plenty of variety without having to travel far. You can take photographs in a quiet-looking side street, continue towards the viewpoints and finish closer to the river.
But I wouldn’t promise that every street will look like a postcard. Lisbon has become very busy, particularly in the popular tourist areas. You may come across rubbish bags waiting for collection, overflowing bins, neglected façades or streets that smell less pleasant than you’d expect. The pavements are uneven, too, and some of the hills are tiring even without a camera bag.
That doesn’t mean Alfama isn’t worth photographing. It simply means it’s better to choose the streets and timing carefully rather than expect the whole neighbourhood to look perfect.
Santa Luzia and Portas do Sol are good options if you want Lisbon’s rooftops and the river in the background. The views are lovely, but these places can get crowded. If you’re hoping for photographs without a stream of people behind you, an early start usually helps.
Praça do Comércio offers a completely different look: a large open square, impressive architecture and the waterfront nearby. It works well for wider portraits and photographs with more space around you. The downside is that the light can be harsh in the middle of the day, and the square rarely feels empty.
You don’t necessarily need to visit all these places in one session. In fact, trying to fit too many locations into a short photoshoot can leave you rushing from one place to another. A few carefully chosen spots often produce a better set of photographs.
What if you’ve never been photographed by a professional?
You don’t have to arrive with a list of poses or know what to do with your hands. Most people don’t.
A good solo session should feel more like walking around the city with someone who happens to be photographing you. We can stop where the light looks good, walk through a street, lean against a wall, look away from the camera or take a few more traditional portraits when the setting suits them.
You don’t need to smile in every photograph. Some pictures work better when you’re looking at the street or enjoying the view rather than looking directly into the lens.
Clothing matters, but there’s no need to buy a new outfit just for the session. Wear something you feel comfortable in and can walk around in for an hour or two. Lisbon has steep streets and plenty of cobblestones, so comfortable shoes are worth considering. If you want photographs in a particular outfit, you can always bring it along and change when convenient.
And if you’re worried about people watching, remember that tourists are taking pictures of themselves all over Lisbon. You probably won’t attract as much attention as you imagine.
Is it worth paying for a photographer when your phone takes good pictures?
Honestly, not everyone needs to book one. If you’re happy taking selfies, asking people to help, or using a phone tripod, you may have everything you need.
A photographer makes more sense if you want photographs with better composition and lighting, a range of portraits rather than the same selfie from different angles, or images that you would be happy to print or use on your social media profiles. It can also be a good option if you’re celebrating a birthday, a solo trip you’ve wanted to take for years, a career change, or simply a period in your life you want to remember.
There’s another advantage: you don’t have to keep thinking about your camera while you’re trying to enjoy Lisbon. Once the session is over, you can put your phone away and carry on with your day.
You should also know what you’re paying for before booking. Ask how long the session lasts, how many edited photographs you’ll receive, whether the photographer provides the original files, and when the final images will be delivered. Packages vary, so it’s worth checking the details rather than choosing based on the headline price alone.
When is the best time for a solo photoshoot in Lisbon?
Early morning is often a good choice, especially if you want photographs in Alfama or at the popular viewpoints. There are generally fewer people around, and the streets can feel calmer before the day gets going.
Late afternoon can also be lovely, depending on the season and the location. The light is often softer than at midday, although the most popular spots may still be busy.
I wouldn’t automatically recommend midday just because it’s convenient. Lisbon’s light can be quite strong, particularly in summer, and the combination of bright sun and deep shadows can make portraits more difficult. Sometimes a shaded street works better than an open viewpoint.
The weather is another consideration. Even when the forecast looks promising, conditions can change, and a windy day can make some locations less comfortable. It’s useful to have a little flexibility rather than build your entire session around one exact spot.
You don’t need a special occasion
Some people book a photographer because they’re celebrating something. Others simply want to remember their time in Lisbon.
Perhaps you’ve travelled alone for the first time. Perhaps you’ve spent months saving for the trip. Maybe you just want a few photographs that look better than the pictures your friends usually take of you. All of those are good enough reasons.
A solo photoshoot doesn’t have to be formal or extravagant. It can be a short walk through the old streets, a few portraits at a viewpoint and some photographs that capture the atmosphere of the city. You can make it as relaxed as you like.
And you don’t have to post the pictures anywhere. They’re yours to keep.
Follow us on Instagram – @kivanc_alp
Planning a solo photoshoot in Lisbon?
I photograph solo travellers in Lisbon, with sessions that can include Alfama, Santa Luzia, Portas do Sol and the streets around Praça do Comércio. The route depends on the kind of photographs you want, how much time you have and how comfortable you are walking around the hills.
If you’re visiting Lisbon and would like some photographs of yourself in the city, get in touch with me before your trip. Tell me roughly when you’ll be here and what kind of pictures you have in mind, and we can work out a suitable route and session.
You don’t need to know how to pose or have everything planned in advance. Just bring yourself, wear something you feel good in, and let the city do part of the work.