Brazil / Guapimirim / 2025
This shoot came to be after years of conversation with Gabriel, always anticipating the “one day” we’d finally make it to Rio.
That “one day” arrived sooner than expected—thanks to a few beers on a warm summer evening at the studio and, in classic Sagittarius fashion, an impulsive flight booking for Laura and me. With no set plan beyond Carnival and creating, I knew this was the perfect moment for Gabriel and me to finally meet.
The day started with a long drive to Gabriel’s hometown of Guapimirim, a stop for freshly baked bread at a panadería, and a warm welcome of coffee and juice at his mother’s home. Everything felt strangely familiar—safe, effortless, as if we had done this before. The energy was fluid, like we were stepping into a memory rather than creating a new one.
We packed up the car with an eclectic mix of props—pieces from Gabriel’s childhood room, now his studio, floral arrangements, and water bottles lovingly prepared by his mother. As we moved through locations, experimenting with looks and props, the shoot unfolded with its own natural rhythm. Everything just clicked—the people, the place, the purpose.
When I close my eyes, I don’t just recall the visuals of that day—I feel its warmth. Not the temperature, but the energy. It was one of my favorite shooting experiences, met with so much love, attention to detail, and an ease that carried us through. Laughter wove itself into every moment, making it feel less like work and more like something sacred, something we were meant to do.
Photography:
@luissantanaaaa
Assistant photographer:
@woooptywuuu
Production Assistant:
@milagres.dan
Set Designer:
@gab.jeronimo
Model:
@_limada
Film processing:
@accuratephotoshop