Teresa on film.

Back in April, I decided to travel back to Porto, simply to express my emotions through photography and being away from Lisbon. I was completely heartbroken and it was painful those last days of a month that started with such joy. I spoke to Teresa, and she agreed to create a couple of portraits with me. With no specific guideline. The goal was to create something real. Something based on real emotions.

All images were taken with 35mm film and the stock I used was Kodak Portra 400. This shoot was mainly located at Teresa’s place, and we took some time to walk around the streets of Porto and go with the flow.

I hope you like these experiments.

During the shoot, Teresa and I created a small series about loneliness and learning how to love ourselves a little bit more. I was feeling inspired and wanted to express in a simple way a bit more of what I’ve been going through during the last years.

It’s not a bad thing but it isn’t easy sometimes. To love yourself the way others do and believe your worth, can be a challenge every time you look at the mirror. To lay down in bed after a long day, with only four walls whispering silence in your ears. To tell yourself that “it’s just one more night”. To wake up and hug you… every morning, in order to feel prepared to be a little bit better than yesterday.

It’s been quite a journey. And it’s been inspiring me a lot. With tears and hope, it’s beautiful to notice that you’re not really alone in your loneliness. (Psalm 27:10, 13, 14)

I hope you also enjoy these ones.

After our creative process on loneliness, we decided to continue the shoot on a completely different language. These are simple portraits we made again at Teresa’s living room and walking through the streets of Porto.

Thank you so much for trusting my vision again, Teresa.
Always a pleasure to create with you.

With love,
Catarina.