Kyle and Kathy contacted me and told me they wanted to book me for a photo session on the one day they were visiting Bruges, on a way to a two month backpacking trip in Asia and India.
Bruges is of course magnificent all year around, but in the summer when the sun is shining and the city smells life chocolate and waffles it feels quite special!
Enjoy a few photos from their engagement summer photo session in Bruges and if you like what you see, do not hesitate to contact me at ivo.popov@gmail.com
One the most exciting aspects of being a photographer in Bruges is that I get to photograph people coming from all corners the world. Fadwa and Omar came all the way from Beirut, Lebanon to do a spring photo session in Bruges with me and it was awesome 🙂
Bruges is beautiful all year round, but it is extra special in those last cold days before the city gets super busy with tourists. We walked around, took photos and explored the small alleys.
Thank you so much guys for trusting me and the absolutely awesome gift you brought me from Lebanon 😉
Here is a small selection of this spring photo session in Bruges!
If you like this spring photo session in Bruges, make sure to contact me at ivo.popov@gmail.com
The awful virus keeps ravaging the world, but it is important to remember that love is not canceled. This engagement session during the Covid-19 pandemic in Bruges is a testimony for that.
There are not many happy news nowadays in the media and most of the world is in a lockdown of sorts and can’t really travel. It is easy to fall into apathy and depression. It may look like there is nothing nice happening anymore, but that is not true. People keep fall in love, keep getting engaged and keep getting married. And this is something we need to celebrate and cherish.
Khayati and Dileep took a decision to not cancel their wedding plans because of the pandemic and and went forward with the planing of their wedding celebration in India. Being based in Belgium, they thought the best present for their families will be a visual testimony of their love with the timeless backdrop of Bruges. They were right! It is not everyday that the city is so empty, it feels it was booked and reserved only for them. It was sunny and cold, it was lovely 🙂
Here is a small selection from their engagement session in Bruges and if you like what you see, please do not hesitate to contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com
I would love to photograph you!
Love is not canceled. Engagement session during the Covid-19 pandemic in Bruges with Ivo Popov Photography.
Sophie and Alexis booked me for their anniversary photo session in Bruges – one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium. And what better way to remember the occasion than a nice set of photos that you can cherish forever and share with your kids and family. Memories fade away, photos are forever. And yes this sounds corny, but it is absolutely true.
It was a rainy and moody day, typically Belgian 🙂 Because of the current Covid-19 rules there were almost no tourist in the city, so it looked empty. It was nice and weird at the same time. I am used to “fighting” for a free spot to take my clients photos and now we had all the space we needed.
We walked and talked, took photos and visited the nicest and most romantic spots in Bruges. Bruges looks awesome when it’s rainy. The colours pop, the stone roads and buildings shine, it is quite and you can hear the hors carriage from a far. It was like we have gone back in time. One thing never changes though – the smell of fries and chocolate is always in the air in Bruges.
Here is a small selection from their anniversary photo session in Bruges and if you like what you see, contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com I would love to photograph you.
The Covid-19 pandemic changed the world almost overnight. Looking back I can’t really believe how close the world felt. Sadly not anymore. One thing thought has not change and never will – people will still fall in love and get married no matter what. So, Kamila and Nunzio decided to do their photo session in Bruges during the pandemic and it was awesome!
I met Kamila and Nunzio on a beautiful Monday afternoon in September in a city that around this time of the year is normally super busy and finding an empty spot to take photos is usually a challenge. So, one small upside of the pandemic – Bruges is way less busy. We walked the quiet small streets and took photos whenever we wanted.
Bruges always looks beautiful, no matter the weather, time of day or how busy it is, but having the streets all for ourselves was really a treat.
Please enjoy a few photos from this photo Session in Bruges during the pandemic and if you like what you see and want to experience the magic that is Bruges, do not hesitate to contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com
A winter marriage proposal in Bruges is always a good idea 😉 Aldo and Rebeca came in Bruges from sunny and warm Mexico in the middle of February. Aldo had this idea of proposing to his girlfriend during their stay in the city. Aldo chose the romantic Koningstraat bridge overlooking the beautiful Jan Van Eyckplein in Bruges as his proposal location and it was awesome 🙂 Rebeca was so happy, that even I managed to tear up behind my camera.
I love photographing in Bruges in the winter – it is less crowded, it is not awfully cold and the light is awesome 🙂
It was early afternoon and Bruges felt empty. We probably have to thank the recent storms that brought the strong winds.
Please take a look at a few of the photos from this winter marriage proposal in Bruges and if you like what you see, do not hesitate to contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com
Bruges is a magnificent small village that has a lot of awesome spots for wedding proposal. You will fall in love with its medieval architecture, the small romantic alleyways, the beautiful parks, the canals and the swans swimming in them, the constant smell of chocolate and waffles around the city centre, the countless varieties of beer and last but not least – the awesome Belgian fries.
This is the reason why many couples decide to come to Bruges for this important step in their lives. Yes, it doesn’t have the grandeur and famousness of Paris, but it also doesn’t have a line of couples waiting to do the same thing and have for their “own” moment in front of the Eiffel Tower.
I have been photographing couples in Bruges for quite a while now and managed to compile a list of awesome spots for proposal in Bruges that I think will help to even the most demanding clients.
Are you a romantic? Would you like to have the moment all for yourselves and away from the crowds? Then consider this locations:
I am not particularly fond of waking up at 04:00 am, but for elopement in Paris it’s worth it. Summer mornings in Paris are magical and what better time for an elopement in Paris than at sun rise. No crowds, gorgeous light, just you and the city. And me and my camera 😉
Christina and Zyan came all the way from Australia to make dream dream come true and I was lucky enough to be present there to document it.
Watching the sun rise from the banks of the Seine, behind the Eiffel Tower is an experience everyone should enjoy at least once in their life.
Thank you Christina and Zyan for trusting me to document your elopement in Paris and I hope our paths will cross again.
Do you like what you see? Please do not hesitate to contact me, I would love to photograph you: ivo.popov@gmail.com
Bruges pre-wedding session is an ideal way to celebrate your connection and love for each other. Bruges unique architecture, under the protection of Unesco, will be the perfect backdrop for your photos. Need more reasons to come? Please take a look here: 10 reasons why Bruges is the perfect pre-wedding location.
Alex and Julia came to Bruges in the late autumn and were greeted by amazing September weather. It was their first time in Bruges, so they wanted to see most touristy spots, but also to go off the beaten path. We did both 🙂 Since I know the city quite well, so we created a plan what to visit and managed to cover the most picturesque locations. Bruges is a very busy city, but the years of photographing on its streets have taught me how to avoid the crowds. I hope that shows in my photos 🙂
Please take a look at a small selection from their Bruges pre-wedding session and if you like what you see, make sure to contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com
Nathalie and Erik came all the way from Israel to visit the awesome city of Bruges. And what better way to celebrate their love than booking an Autumn photo session in Bruges 🙂 Nathalie is one of the most positive and happy people I have ever had the privilege to photograph. She was soo exited when contacted me and I instantly new this photo shoot will be awesome!
I was right! We walked, we talked, we took photos, we drank tea / coffee / cеcemel. What? You don’t know what cecemel is? Well, you would have to come to Belgium and find out 😉
I sent them a small preview a few days after the photo shoot and this is what Natalie wrote back. It made me tear a little 🙂
It’s so beautiful!!! So gorgeous!!! So magnificent!!! I’m so happy that I’ve found you and you had a time for us!!! I’m already looking forward to other photos 🙂 🙂 🙂 Thank you very much!!!
Please take a look at this small selection from their Autumn photo session in Bruges and if you like what you see I would love to photograph you. Get in touch with me here: ivo.popov@gmail.com
This Lovers Lake Bruges mariage proposal was just gorgeous – early morning, amazing light, no tourists around. The city felt empty and calm like never before 🙂 Thank you Tianyi and Nanant for trusting me to photograph this amazing and intimate moment in your life.
I know that picking a good proposal location in Bruges is not easy, so I am always here to help. Tianyi wanted a special location, beautiful and away from the tourist crowds. So, the park at the Lovers Lake was a natural choice. Early mornings are just great here 😉
Please take a look at a small selection from this photo shoot in Bruges.
If you like what you see, please do not hesitate to contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com
Keeping a big secret like a wedding proposal in Bruges is a tough job, especially when you are coming from half a world away. Still Angel did a great job! It is such a pleasure to photograph this intimate and beautiful moments – the anticipation, the nervousness, the tears and the first hug. Saying that Paula was happy will be an underestimation 🙂
When Angel contacted me a few months ago, he told me Bruges has always been his number one place to propose and he chose the bridge on the Koningstraat to do that. It is a great choice – it has fewer tourists and the view is just great! He told me he will give Paola a chocolate bar right before proposing, because this is what he did on their first date.
We spent a few hours enjoying the nice weather, walking around the city centre and taking photos. Most people are afraid of the rainy weather, but I personally think that Bruges looks at it best then the weather is not perfect. And as I like to say to my clients – cold weather is romantic, because it makes you to want to hug each other and leep warm 😉
If you like this wedding proposal in Bruges, please do not hesitate to contact me at ivo.popov@gmail.com
This wedding proposal at Minnewater Lake Bruges was soo dreamy! Parth planned carefully and managed to surprise Rocky and the best way possible. And I was there to make it last forever 😉
Parth and Rocky came all the way from New York to enjoy a few days in one of the most beautiful towns in Western Europe. Bruges has it all: amazing architecture, chocolate, beer, fries. Still not convinced? Check out my 10 reasons for proposing in Bruges here.
Thank you Parth for trusting me to document this major step in your life and I sincerely hope our path will cross again in the future.
If you like this wedding proposal at Minnewater Lake Bruges, please do not hesitate to contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com I would love to work with you!
Jason and Ashka met on the terrace of the Historium in Bruges a while ago, the same terrace on which he eventually proposed. It was a beautiful moment and a great start for their lives together. And I was proud I was there to document it.
Please enjoy a few images from their special day and if you like what you see, do not hesitate to contact me at ivo.popov@gmail.com
Yatin picked one of the coldest days in January to propose to his girlfriend in Bruges. Not intentionally, I am sure of that 🙂 He chose the magnificent bridge on the Koningstraat to drop on one knee. So what makes a very cold marriage proposal in Bruges a good idea? The city was almost empty and looked beautiful covered in snow and ice.
I always tell my clients that cold weather is very romantic because it makes you want to cuddle and stay close to each other. And that also works great for photos.
Did you like this “A very cold marriage proposal in Bruges” story? Contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com
Dorian and Andra came all the way from Australia to have this life changing moment in Bruges. Dorian planned to surprise Andra and propose on the bridge over The Lake of Love in Bruges. To say that she was totally surprised will be an understatement. She was overcome with emotions and crying, Dorian was happy as a kid 🙂
We were lucky to have gorgeous weather and even the sun was shining! We walked around the city, talked, took some photos and laughed together.
Please enjoy a small selection of their photo shoot in Bruges and if you like what you see, do not hesitate to contact me at ivo.popov@gmail.com. I would love to photograph you!
Interested in having a photo shoot ion Bruges with the best photographer in the city? Contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com
The end result of this rainy wedding proposal in Bruges was – one happily engaged couple and two completely broken umbrellas 🙂
I don’t remember ever photographing in a worst weather than on this day. It was very cold, super windy (two broken umbrellas) and it was raining “cats and dogs”. In a weather like this most people will happily stay at home, but that did not stop Cem to do what he planned for a long time now – proposing in the romantic city of Bruges to his girlfriend Ozge.
And let me tell you – Ozge was really, really surprised. Keeping a secret like this is hard and women always feel when the big moment is near – it is always a trip, nice restaurant, romantic spot etc.. But I am pretty sure nobody plans to propose in a weather like this, not even in the most romantic city in Europe – Bruges. Way to go Cem!
It was not easy to photograph in a weather like this, but I am happy Cem decided not to reschedule – the city was almost empty and honestly believe you can create great photos no matter the weather.
Please enjoy a small selection from their rainy wedding proposal in Bruges and if you like what you see, do not hesitate to contact me at ivo.popov@gmail.com
Rob planned for a beautiful Christmas wedding proposal in Bruges on one of the most romantic spots in the city – the “Lovers Lake”. He contacted me well lin advance before the trip and we picked a location with great view, just next to the water and he managed to surprise Paula just as he imagined it! It was such a great moment – romantic and intimate. Paula was so happy and emotional.
The winter in Bruges can be amazing – sure it is cold and maybe humid, but the atmosphere in the city getting ready for the Christmas celebrations is just amazing – beautiful lights everywhere, Christmas decorations, people having fun all around the city, the Christmas market full of happy faces 🙂
We walked around the city center, trying to get a few nice photos in the river of happy tourists from all over the world. Thank you guys for making me a part of that amazing moment and I wish you all the best!
Kawin decided to propose to Jane in Bruges, on one of the most scenic location in the city – the bridge in the Koningstraat. They came all the way from Thailand and it was there first time ever in Bruges. The sun started shining just a few moments before he got on one knee, like knowing what is about to happen 🙂 Jane was speechless and happy beyond believe. We visited some of the nicest spots in the city and luckily the weather was just amazing the whole time.
Bruges is such a romantic place for a proposal with its amazing architecture, with its canals and small streets. And the fact that chocolate, waffles, beer and fries are at arms length, at all times, is even better 🙂 And if that is not enough to convince you, please take a look here: 10 reasons for proposing in Bruges. Convinced? Then take a look here: 10 romantic spots to propose in Bruges.
Please take a look at a small selection of Kawin and Jane’s surprise marriage proposal in Bruges and if you like what you see, do not hesitate to contact me at: ivo.popov@gmail.com
10 Reasons why Bruges is the perfect pre-wedding location – Bruges is the pearl of Belgium and probably one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. It is a fairy tale medieval town with picturesque cobble stone streets, canals, beautiful market squares, historic churches and lots of chocolate and beer shops.
The historical city centre is a world heritage site of UNESCO. It is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North” because of the numerous canals crossing the city. It is the city of a million photo opportunities and one of the most sought after places in Europe to propose.
1. Bruges is beautiful all around the year! You don’t need to plan your pre-wedding photo session in Bruges in the summer. Spring and fall are beautiful here and even in the winter the weather allows us to photograph outside.
2. It is very well connected to the most major touristic cities in western Europe. It takes less than two hours to go to Paris and a bit more than that to visit Amsterdam and London. Combine them in your trip and it will be unforgettable.
3. No matter where are you in the city, the worlds best beer and chocolate are just an arms reach away! Everybody knows that the best chocolate and beer come from Belgium. So, just stroll around the old cobble stone streets of Bruges and start tasting. You can find some of the most famous Belgian chocolate brands like Neuhouse, Godiva, Leonidas and Galler, but also boutique makers like Dumon, The Chocolate Line and BbyB.
4. Belgian people are very friendly and everybody speaks English. Your stay will be easy and pleasant.
5. Bruges is just mind blowing after dark. You can schedule your pre-wedding session, so that part of it is after sunset.
6. Bruges is the home of a few Michelin star restaurants. If you like good food, Bruges has a lot to offer. Yes! The city is filled with great looking restaurants, but for a special gourmet experience head over to one of the Michelin start restaurants in Bruges. One of the best and very centrally located is the famous “Den Gouden Harynck“. Just a few steps away from one of the most beautiful spots in the city – The Bonifacious Bridge, the restaurant will amaze you with its menu, without emptying completely your pocket. Make sure you call to reserve.
7. You can visit the movie locations from the famous movie “In Bruges”. Even if you have never seen the movie “In Bruges” by Martin McDonagh you before you visit Bruges! Great cast (Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes,…) and the 12th century buildings and canals of Bruges are just the perfect backdrop for the story. And it will make you even more excited about your trip!
8. You can try the famous Belgian waffles! And I know just the place to recommend you – “Chez Albert” in Bruges has the best waffles in town! Easy to find (Breidelstraat 16) but busy most of the time. And please get a plain waffle first to enjoy the real taste and then order the chocolate, cream and strawberry monstrosity you had your eyes on the entire time 😉
9. You can schedule your pre-wedding photo session with the best photographer in Bruges. Memories are everything, don’t let your fade away! I will help you:
Even if it is your first time in Bruges and you don’t know all the nice spots in the city.
Even if you have never taken pro photos before and you are shy and think that you need help with directions and posing. Some people need directions, others are natural. I will adapt to the person in front of me.
Even if your partner does not like to take photos
We will spend two hours walking around the city and exploring the most amazing spots. I will guide you trough this adventure in Bruges and we will do some magical photos together 🙂 Book your session well in advance to be sure your date will be available. I am looking forward to meeting you and doing some magic together!
What my clients say about their photography experience in Bruges:
Ivo took our pre-wedding photos in Bruges and he really did an amazing job. Our criteria for the photographer was someone who has good photographing skills and knows the city well, and I must say Ivo is the best in this aspect. All the locations he suggested were so beautiful. We were so surprised when we received the photos from him, as they are way beyond our expectations. He managed to capture our happy moments as well as the scenic view of Bruges. I would definitely recommend Ivo to anyone who wishes to take their engagement/ pre-wedding photos in Belgium.
Novem Lam
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Ivo is truly a brilliant photographer, when we first met him in Brugge, where we took our engagement photo session. Even it was -11 degree and frozen cold out there, he was still cooperative and friendly, and since he knows the city so well so he suggested a lot places and poses for us, we therefore got one of the best set of photos. Thx Ivo! My sister and brother in law are also extremely happy about the photo session you shoot for them in Paris, brilliant!
Wang Shuwei
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Ivo is truly a phenomenal photographer! His brilliance showed in our wedding photos. He made us feel comfortable and really caught the beauty of our wedding. Ivo vision captured all of the ceremony and reception in so much detail that it is hard to believe that one person can capture so many amazing photos. We can’t stop smiling when we look at his work. We are so thankful to have found someone like Ivo to trust and rely on. He made working with him overseas a very easy process. I would recommend Ivo to anyone for any occasion in a heartbeat.!
Weston Steinberg
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Ivo was everything we wanted in an engagement photographer. He is very responsive and easy to work with. We are Americans and our vision was to have the backdrop of our photos to be quintessentially Bruges because In Bruges was one of the first movies we watched together. Ivo totally delivered and took us to all the iconic spots. Because we are foreign, he even taught us a bit about the culture in Belgium and recommended excellent lodging and restaurants. He is really good at getting the overall proportions of photos right (how people should fit in the frame of the background), emphasizing on the beautiful scenery and backdrop. As for the people in shots, he provided standard poses for us to do (you can see some on this fb page) but he also listened to what we thought our best angles were and incorporated some of that into our portfolio. I am a tough critic when it comes to judging how I look and Ivo has made me feel beautiful in many images.
Andong Cheng
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10. Not that you need more reason to choose Bruges as a location for your pre-wedding photo shoot, but you can eat the famous Belgian fries all day long!! Take away or as a side in a restaurant, they are everywhere and they are delicious!!
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