Prelude

In this first issue I would  like to start by sharing my motivation for this newsletter.

First and foremost, fuck the algorithm!! Social media is in a very sorry state for me. I don't enjoy, but it remains a useful medium to stay connected to people important to me. This newsletter is, in part, my way of stepping back from the distractions and focusing on my work. More importantly, it’s for those who genuinely want to follow along—no algorithm deciding what you see, just one guaranteed post landing in your inbox each month.

For years, I’ve wanted to write about my photographic practice. I grew up in the blogging era, and I even had one myself. I just never really found the time or motivation.  I was too busy taking photos to write about them. Life happens, you forget things, but they also find their way back. And now, as I sit down to write this, I see friends embracing this medium too, using newsletters to stay in touch and share what’s going on in their lives.

A note on the tech choices for this newsletter

I decided to use mailchimp and just require your email. No unnecessary data collection, no ‘Hello <first_name>’ personalization, nothing extra. Substack seems to be a go-to at the moment, but it’s also oriented towards a closed platform with monetization that incentivizes account creation, so I decided to skip that. All I need is your email, and that’s it.

I’ve also been in touch with Mailchimp’s support to remove all tracking from these emails. Even with every option turned off, they still slip in a tracker—likely to count email opens. But I’m not here for marketing metrics or optimization. While there are monetization links in the footer, this isn’t about conversions or chasing clicks. That said, any support is always welcome! 😃

The juice!

Thanks for joining me on this ride. Now let’s take a look at what’s in store. To keep things structured and to help me figure out what to write, think about, and share in this space, I’ll be following a general format.

1. Work - This is where I’ll share what I’ve been up to. Short-term, long-term, or somewhere in between. What’s on my plate right now? What did I work on last month? What’s coming next? This section will cover the behind-the-scenes of my practice, as well as, what is being put out.

   
   

2. Photo Books - I have a sizable collection of photo books, so I figured it was time to dedicate space to them. Each month, I’ll focus on a single book: studying it, drawing inspiration, and sharing my thoughts with you. Maybe even some fun facts I pick up along the way.

   
   

3. Inspiration - My photography is shaped by more than just images. Poetry, music, weather, exhibitions, small everyday moments—there’s a lot that feeds into it. In this section, I’ll highlight something that inspired me over the past month. It might not always be directly related to photography, but that’s the point. A free, open space for awe and appreciation.

This will be the core structure of the newsletter. That said, expect some funkiness around the edges. Like this prelude, things may shift and evolve. New sections might pop up depending on what feels worth sharing. To find out what those might be, you’ll just have to stay tuned 😉

Working on…

1. In collaboration with my good friend Boris we are cooking up a project to have displayed during a one-day artsy event organized by Tiago, the man behind Pirolito.

From time to time, Tiago loves to bring together people, music, food, art, and, of course, his love for Portuguese fermented grapes (as he likes to call it).

More updates about this will follow on social media. You can see the first post about it in Pirolito's account. Follow our own accounts to get more news on our progress. For now I will leave you with our teaser:

We invite you to experience one summer in Amsterdam through the lens of our cameras. The co-exhibition ‘Summer in the city’ is a visual celebration of the upcoming 750th birthday of Amsterdam.

Having lived in Amsterdam for a long time, me and Boris have developed a deep appreciation for the best time of the year to experience the city. Our photos aim to transfer the vibrant energy and immense beauty that unfold as the city comes alive under the long, golden days.

2. On the short-term front, I’m editing the next album in my Dialogues series. I will release it to my Ko-Fi members first, as I am taking my first steps on that platform.

3. On the long term, I have my persistent intention of re-scanning my whole negative archive. This point will be a sticky on this newsletter. The current status is that I’ve finished 2014 and created a body of work focused on this massive task and this particular year.
   
   I’m still figuring out how to present it to my friends and followers. I have some ideas and a rough concept, but I’m not close to executing anything just yet.
   
   Given the other short-term projects on my plate, this one will likely be pushed back even further. As I said, this will be a sticky point for a while.

Book corner

Enzo is half Portuguese and a great example of how social media can still foster friendships. Initially, I followed him on Instagram for his work alone. Warm toned city and landscape populated his feed, and well there was just something in there that I appreciated, so it was an easy follow.

We never spoke online or reached out to each other, until one day I thought I recognized him from his profile picture at the local garden center. After a quick exchange, we promised to meet up in the future, and have kept in contact ever since.

Unlike his twin sister, Enzo has fully embraced his Portuguese roots. His love for Portugal runs deep and has certainly helped achieve this little book.

The fado is strong in him.

Cafezinho - perfectly reflects the book’s contents, and I’m happy to say I even had a hand in choosing it. The diminutive aspect paired with its compact size work to create the feel of a light, easygoing break (perfect for a coffee). Tying it all together is the content, a compilation of Enzo’s many escapades to Portugal spanning a period of  five years. The feel of vacation adds the final touch to the nature of taking some time off.

What I love about Enzo’s perspective is how his deep appreciation for Portugal allows him to find beauty in the mundane. His eye capture the essence of the country, showcasing scenes that make me think - Oh, this is very Portuguese! - They feel instantly recognizable, authentic, familiar, and likely something I would ignore and just pass by. But his work invites you to take a little break, and appreciate.

p.s.- this was a hard book to lit up because it’s printed in lustre photo paper. Better efforts shall be made in the future to improve what I share here. Step by step I will get there :)

Inspiration

For this first edition, my inspiration section is going to be a little different. I want to take a moment to thank the friends who helped me shift my focus towards the idea of detaching from social media and creating my own curated space for what I want to share online.

First up, I want to thank Ana Luísa! The structure of this newsletter is largely inspired by hers. Ana is a very talented illustrator, and I always make sure to visit her whenever I’m back home. We often talk about art and crafts, and she’s always encouraged me to take a few steps forward. Thanks, Ana!

Next, I will bundle these two together William and Kalyia. William was the first person to introduce me to the idea of a newsletter as a way to step back from social media. And then there’s Kalyia who is already in full swing and has posted her first issue already! Thank you both!

Epilogue

When I started this journey, I wasn’t sure what numbers to expect, but I can't shake the feeling that I thought more people would have signed up by now. Still, in keeping with the theme of saying "No, thank you!" to the algorithm, let's grow this the organic way through word of mouth!

If you know someone who knows me and would genuinely enjoy following along but you think isn’t subscribed yet, give them a nudge. Share this newsletter with them.

And if not, no worries. I'm just glad you're here. 🙂

Thank you all!

That’s it for this month.

If would like to support me and my work, you can do so via Ko-Fi or by purchasing a print from my Etsy store.