I was born and raised in Madeira Island, Portugal, and originally studied Psychology before photography gradually took over a much bigger part of my life.
I started photographing weddings professionally more than 12 years ago. Since then, weddings have taken me throughout Portugal and to places such as France, Italy, Greece, Spain and the United States, but Madeira is still home and probably the place that has most shaped the way I see light and landscape.
I don’t think of myself as either a purely documentary or an editorial photographer. Most of the day I prefer to observe, anticipate and let things happen naturally. At the same time, I’m happy to give some direction when it is useful — especially for portraits — without making people feel as though they are performing for the camera.
My background in Psychology probably plays a part in that. I enjoy people, expressions, relationships and all the small things happening around the obvious moments.
Ultimately, I want the photographs to feel connected to the people and to the place: natural moments, atmosphere, a little humour, good portraits and images that bring back something of what being there actually felt like.
