PHOTOS LIKE YOU
the way you are
You've been thinking about this for a while. Maybe you live in Porto and you keep meaning to book before the kids grow another inch. Or maybe you're here for a few days — and this city, with its light and its streets and the way the Douro looks in the afternoon, is too beautiful to leave unphotographed. Not a tourist snap. A real photograph, of your family actually here.
Both of those families end up on this page.
Families who are rooted here. Families passing through. Multicultural families, bilingual families, families from Europe, from Asia, from everywhere in between.
The job is the same each time: to photograph you the way you actually are.
from the core family sessions at home and around the city, vacation photography in Porto, to maternity, newborn sessions, family events, and seasonal moments throughout the year:
MY SERVICES
WHAT I OFFER
In-home or outdoor maternity photography capturing the beauty and emotion of motherhood.
Natural family photography in nature, city, or home settings — capturing genuine connections.
Family event photography to capture your family's milestones and relive them just as they were.
A meaningful photography experience to gift loved ones — perfect for birthdays, holidays, or special family moments.
Festive seasonal photography for occasions like Christmas or Mother’s Day, offered as limited editions.
Vacation family photography in nature or city to preserve your memories forever.
No stiff poses, no matching outfits required, no cheesy forced smiles. My approach coaxes real expressions — the kind that remind you, years later, of exactly how your family felt in this season of life.
Ten years of working with families of all shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds means I've seen almost everything. I know how to work with toddlers who won't cooperate, teenagers who'd rather be anywhere else, and grandparents who've never liked having their photo taken.
I conduct all sessions entirely in English, German, Spanish, with clear communication from your first enquiry to final delivery. No confusion, no language barrier — just a smooth, enjoyable experience from start to finish.
Delivered via a private online gallery, high-resolution and print-ready. Easy to share with family near and far, perfect for printing, and edited to look timeless rather than tied to a particular trend.
Genuinely Natural Style
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A Decade of Experience
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Warm, Clear Communication
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Images Made to Last
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all of them unique
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE ME
PORTO, MY LOVE
WHERE WE SHOOT
I know these places the way someone who lives here knows them — not as backdrops, but as locations with specific light at specific hours. That knowledge is part of what you’re booking. Here are the ones I know best and work in most:
Across the river, with the whole city spread out behind you. Hilltop terraces, the Dom Luís bridge, and the kind of view that makes you understand why people choose this place.
ribeira
Salt air, open sky, and a horizon that makes everything feel a little more free. From Matosinhos to the Gaia coast, the sea changes the mood of everything it touches.
Matosinhos to the Gaia coast
Open meadows, a lake that holds the sky, and enough space for children to be entirely themselves. The city disappears here. What's left is your family and whatever they decide to do with all that room.
PARQUE DA CIDADE
The most considered spaces say something about the people who chose them. When a home has that quality — its light, its materials, the way each room has been designed and thought about — it becomes part of the story. The photographs that come from those sessions carry something the others don't. Some of my most quietly extraordinary sessions have never left the front door.
YOUR HOME
"We had the most amazing session with Mary at one of the beaches in Porto.
Mary is an absolute professional with such a warm energy. Time flew by during the shoot, and now we have these precious memories captured in the most perfect way."
- Daria.
"Mary is a talented maternity and vacation photographer, she is so fun to work with, and she has an amazing eye for natural beauty.We felt comfortable and appreciated all of the direction and tips to ensure our pictures were perfect. We are in love with our pictures."
-Nathalia S.
clients
KIND WORDS
frequently asked questions
How much in advance should I book?
How much in advance should I book?
For a standard session, three to four weeks is usually enough. For sessions around busier periods — summer, the Christmas season, or if you’re planning around a visit to Porto — I’d recommend six to eight weeks. Seasonal campaigns have limited spots and fill quickly once they’re announced. If you’re unsure, send me a message and I’ll check availability straight away.
How much does a family photoshoot in Porto cost?
How much does a family photoshoot in Porto cost?
Family sessions start at 250€, which includes the session itself, the pre-session planning call, all editing, and your private online gallery. Check out here the services I offer and pricing.
Where do you photograph families in Porto?
Where do you photograph families in Porto?
Anywhere that suits your family. Foz do Douro, Ribeira, the beaches, Vila Nova de Gaia — all with different qualities of light and atmosphere. Many families choose a home session; Porto homes often have beautiful natural light and their own character. I make location suggestions once I know a bit more about your family and what you’re hoping to capture.
What time of day works best for family photos in Porto?
What time of day works best for family photos in Porto?
Sunset or sunrise — and the right choice depends on your family. Sunset golden hour is warmer, more relaxed, and generally easier for park, and beach sessions. Sunrise is quieter, the light is different, and the city belongs to you in a way it doesn’t later in the day. We’ll talk about which one fits your family best during the consultation.
What should our family wear for photos on Porto’s beaches and cobblestone streets?
What should our family wear for photos on Porto’s beaches and cobblestone streets?
Soft, quiet colours and natural fabrics — linen, cotton, wool. Avoid large logos, bright white, and busy patterns, which pull the eye away from faces. Porto light is warm, so creams, sand, olive, faded blue and rust all sit beautifully against the stone and the tiles. Once your date is booked I will give you more options for the different locations, and I'm happy to look at photos of what you've laid out.
What happens if the weather is bad?
What happens if the weather is bad?
We reschedule — simple as that. Porto weather can be sometimes unpredictable, and there’s no point photographing in conditions that don’t serve your family well. We find a new date that works for both of us and we shoot then. I always have a solution, from A to Z. You won’t be left without photographs.
My children don’t like being photographed. Will this work?
My children don’t like being photographed. Will this work?
Almost always, yes. I’ve spent 12 years photographing families, weddings, and events — which means I’ve worked with children of every age, temperament, and patience level. I don’t direct children to pose; I give them things to do and let them move, react, and get distracted. The self-consciousness fades quickly when there’s nothing to perform. In twenty years, the honest photographs are the ones your family will be grateful for — not the ones where everyone is standing still.
My partner doesn’t like being photographed. Should I still book?
My partner doesn’t like being photographed. Should I still book?
Yes — and this comes up more than you’d think. Most people who say they don’t like being photographed have never been photographed the right way. I don’t ask anyone to perform or smile on cue. I guide everyone through activities, keep things moving, and work fast enough that the self-consciousness fades before they notice it’s gone. By the end of most sessions, the person who was most reluctant tends to be the one who doesn’t want to stop.
Can you photograph multigenerational families — grandparents included?
Can you photograph multigenerational families — grandparents included?
Yes, and these tend to be some of the most significant sessions I do. If you’re expecting family from elsewhere — grandparents visiting from the UK, from Asia, from anywhere — that’s one of the best reasons to book. Those windows are finite.
Amazing photography starts with getting know each other. Take a moment to fill out my contact form, and let's get to planning your beautiful photo session!
i cannot wait to meet your family!
contact me
Amazing photography starts with getting know each other. Take a moment to fill out my contact form, and let's get to planning your beautiful photo session!
