I was unsure if I wanted to share the inspiration behind this editorial, because the pain that led me to choose this theme is not just my grief. This project is healing for me in a way, because it helped me to heal a little bit more from a loss that affects me to this day.
Inês was a beautiful being that I had the privilege of sharing moments with. She was much more than my desk mate in math class, she was caring, fun, easy going, charismatic, creative person and an inspiration to me. At 16/17 years old Inês was already a brilliant photographer, with an extremely sensitive and differentiated eye, and I can say without a doubt that if I work with photography today it was because she opened this world to me beyond what I knew.
Since Inês went to shine elsewhere, I have struggled to understand and accept her departure, and I looked for help exploring my feelings around the event, but never felt it was the right time to put it out there. The truth is that there is no right moment, and to wait for that moment that would never come is to let go of the memory of this being that did me so much good.
With this sequence of images I wanted to transmit my wish for Inês. The wish that she has found the Dawn Light that has come to calm her heart, and that she is complete wherever she is, that she is the way she was, and I believe she still is. That beautiful being that I miss but somehow remains by my side.
This project is also a wish for the healing of everyone who in some way deals with deeper feelings than expected. I wish that we can all flourish within our adversities.
Credits:
Photographer and Creative Director: Alessandra Rizzi
Producer and Art Director: Ana Margarida Matos
Makeup Artist: Diogo Ribeiro
Wardrobe Stylist: Candida Pinto
Model: Letícia Santana from Best Models Agency
Special thanks to Cristiana Maciel, Denise Brosseron and Empreende Mais
