Catarina on film.

Meeting Catarina shortly after my moving to the Netherlands was a very nice surprise for me. A fellow Portuguese, beautiful inside out, talented and I think there is just this thing about the Catarinas. Now that I take some time to think, most of the Cats, Cates, Kaiths, Kenzies (according to the Starbucks barista that served my coffee once) or whatever nickname you would like to call us… the Catarinas are these uncontrollable creative beings with their heads in the clouds and feet on solid ground.

Introducing you this one: Catarina is living in Amsterdam and she is a ballerina for the Dutch National Ballet. We met in the most random way possible, believe it or not: an Instagram quest for women who would just like to connect with each other. As soon as I read “Portuguese in Amsterdam? Anyone?” or something like that… it felt right to follow and text her. Firstly, the plan was a coffee date but with our busy schedules and postponing plans, we finally found the perfect excuse to meet: photographing Catarina’s process as a human and artist. We started at her place, in a more intimate mood, then went to the theatre to capture a bit of Catarina’s process as an artist as well as eternalising what was an accomplishment in her professional journey: dancing in “The Swan Lake”. Which funny enough… it’s my favourite ballet show. To share dreams, opening up about more ideas and normal fears of living far away from our roots, this morning with Catarina was definitely something that I will never forget and surely won’t be the last.

As delicate and brutal it can be, these series carry the human part of Catarina as well as the artistic side of her. And last but certainly not least, thank you so much for all the trust, sharing and kindness, Catarina.
I truly appreciate it. Obrigada.