A Summer with Avô at Ortiga – A Day in the Life Session in Rural Portugal
Written by Marisa Martins
In the quiet heart of Portugal lies a little village called Ortiga—where time slows, the breeze carries the scent of figs and dust, and summer feels like a gentle symphony of warmth, wind, and memory. This year, that summer magic was laced with something even more special—my visit with camera in hand, not to stage or pose, but to document a real story of family, legacy, and connection.
This Day in the Life (DITL) session wasn’t about perfection. It was about truth.
Children, barefoot and joyful in their mismatched summer clothes, dashed between the pool and the orchard, chasing lizards and giggling freely. Avô (grandpa) watched over them—not from afar, but in the thick of it—teaching, playing, whispering stories of the land he’s devoted his life to. His calm presence wove a thread of continuity through the day.
Under the shade of a generous fig tree, the family gathered for a midday meal. Nothing matched—not the plates, not the chairs, not even the drinks—but it didn’t matter. In fact, that’s what made it real. The table was filled with color, crumbs, and conversation—spilled juice, clinking forks, and bursts of laughter. These are the moments that stay.
As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in fiery streaks of red and orange, the family gathered on the chipped porch swing. The children’s heads rested on Avô’s shoulder, his weathered hand gently placed on one of theirs—a silent symbol of love, wisdom, and continuity. Fireflies emerged, dancing in the warm air, speaking a secret language only children seem to understand.
Through my lens, I didn’t just capture images. I captured details that matter: the dirt-streaked faces, the worn hands kneading dough, the fabric of everyday life that’s often overlooked but deeply felt. The magic isn’t in a perfect frame—it’s in the chipped paint, the background noise, the small gestures, and shared glances.
This is documentary family photography at its most honest: storytelling through imagery that reflects real life, not curated highlights. No forced smiles. No posed portraits. Just sun, sweat, and unfiltered joy—a celebration of family, of place, and of all the beautiful imperfections that make memories unforgettable.
If this kind of storytelling speaks to your heart, if you want to preserve a day like this—as it truly is—then let's talk. Let’s document your summer story, with all its warmth and wonder.
Join me for a Day in the Life session, and experience the poetry of ordinary days.
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