Maternity Session on the West Coast of Portugal | Mariana + André

It feels like just the other day I was capturing Mariana and André’s engagement session, followed by their wedding day at Quinta do Pinheiro. Being invited back to document this next chapter is exactly why I love what I do—it’s about more than just one day; it’s about following the story as it grows.

Now, at nine months pregnant, Mariana is just weeks away from meeting their little one. We decided to spend an afternoon hitting a few of my favorite spots along the coast to capture this incredible wait.

From the Woods to the Water

We started the session tucked away in Mata Rainha Dona Leonor. There’s something about the filtered light through those old trees that always feels right. It gave us a quiet, relaxed start before heading toward the coast.

Next, we made our way to Lagoa de Óbidos. The lagoon has this unique, calm energy that worked perfectly for some more intimate shots. It’s a place that forces you to slow down, which is exactly the mood we wanted to capture for these two.

That Silver Coast Light

To wrap things up, we headed to Praia da Foz do Arelho. You really can’t beat the Atlantic as a backdrop, especially where the lagoon meets the sea. The salt air and the open space were the perfect finishing touch to the session.

Mariana and André, thank you for trusting me once again with your memories. I’m so happy I could be there to document this threshold. See you three very soon!