European Street Photography: Porto and Madrid

I just returned home from a week in Europe, where I was surrounded by pure love.  Everyone on the streets is in love.  Europeans do love very well, it’s in the architecture, sunlight and the couples slowly walking on cobblestones.

I attended the Fearless Photographers conference for wedding photographers, and because we photograph love for a living, when we get together, we love and we love hard.  This is usually accompanied by lots of food and drink, belly laughs and dancing to “Livin’ On A Prayer.”  Though I’m not sure why that song is our anthem.  🙂 

It takes a few days to recover from such a love fest.  Then we return to the next conference and fall in love all over again.

I can’t say no to this life.  I can only work harder to make my dreams come true, which they are, and travel as often as I can, which I am thankful for.

I purchased an Olympus OMD-EM1 for my trip to Bucharest, Romania last year, where I spoke at the Fearless Conference.  For the better part of the year this camera has mocked me from the shelf.  I slip into the habit of not recording, just living, and while that is perfectly acceptable, I attend wedding photographer conferences to reaffirm my life as a photographer, not just someone who leaves a camera on a shelf and only shoots when I am paid.

Which brings me to this documentation of love.  Hey, it’s my blog, I can be gushy here (like I am in most every other facet of my life.)  I pulled out my neglected camera and pushed myself to document strangers while I was in Porto and Madrid. 

I had forgotten how wonderful it was to walk the streets and just follow the sunlight.  I had no plans, no map, no full knowledge of the area.  I allowed my camera to be my compass, and this was a simple luxury I intend to make use of more often.  Studying faces, body language, color, and most of all, glorious sunlight in one of the most romantic cities I have ever visited. 

I sang karaoke at 4AM in a Madrid dive bar.  I walked miles and miles chasing a sunbeam.  I smiled at people on the street (well, I do that in Chicago) and they smiled back (they don’t always do that.)  I hugged and kissed and laughed until my sides hurt.  And I loved.  I really can’t ask for more than that.

Thank you for listening, please enjoy these photographs and follow your own love and light.   

European Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. Cusic

European Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. CusicEuropean Street Photography by Candice C. Cusic

European Street Photography by Candice C. Cusic

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Oscar and Olive didn’t pose—they simply were. In that brief, beautiful chaos, we created portraits that feel timeless. The kind you want to live with. The kind that make you stop, smile, and say, “That’s them.” This is Moment-Driven™ pet photography. No stiff poses, no pressure—just honest moments turned into artwork. Chicago’s luxury pet portrait studio. Custom artwork designed for your home.
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