Cinematic portraiture & editorial photography with soul. I shoot faces, cities and quiet moments — from Vogue-style fashion stories to intimate documentary series across Portugal, France and Brazil.
BASED IN LISBON, SHOOTING WORLDWIDE. LARGE FORMAT / 35MM / DIGITAL. EXHIBITED IN PARIS, MILAN & SÃO PAULO.
Olá, I’m Alexandre. For 14 years I’ve chased honest light — the kind that lives in kitchens at 7am, in backstage chaos, in Atlantic fog.
My name is Alexandre dos Santos — a Portuguese-Brazilian photographer and creative director. I grew up between São Paulo and Lisbon, developed my first roll at 14, assisted in Paris, and never stopped. Today I split time between commercial editorials, personal long-term projects on migration and memory, and teaching.
My approach is simple: slow down, listen, then shoot. No over-directing. No fake smiles. Just presence. Clients call it “documentary with fashion polish” — I call it respect.
When I’m not shooting, I’m printing in the darkroom, surfing at Costa da Caparica, or hunting vinyl at Feira da Ladra.
Six defining series. Each one shot on location, with minimal retouch and maximum heart. Hover to feel the grain.
35mm street portraits in Alfama & Mouraria — 42 faces, one summer.
Fashion story on Nazaré cliffs — wind, wool and wild veils.
Three years inside tiny taverns where Amália still echoes.
Migration portraits between Dakhla and Lisbon. Exhibited Paris Photo.
Large-format black & white — actors, dancers, bakers, no makeup.
Medium format explosion of sweat and glitter in Olinda.
From pitch to print — art direction, casting, shooting and grade included.
You bring the idea. I bring calm, light and 14 years of problem-solving.
42 prints, vinyl listening room, 12k visitors.
Selected for Carte Blanche, Leica Pavilion.
Group show, 6 large-format pieces.
Sold out edition of 5 + artist book.
“Alexandre doesn’t take pictures, he returns memories you didn’t know you had.”Joana Vasconcelos — Curator, Museu do Fado
“The calmest set I’ve ever been on. And the strongest covers of the year.”Marta Leite — Fashion Editor
“A master of available light. Our hotel campaign tripled direct bookings.”Tiago Almeida — Marketing Director
Backstage diaries, gear talk, exhibition news and honest lessons from 14 years behind the camera. New story every week.
IPTV e Desporto em Portugal: A Revolução do Entretenimento em Casa No universo de conteúdos sobre tecnologia, lifes...
Read story →Studio in Alcântara, Lisbon. I shoot everywhere — 60% Portugal/Spain/France, 40% worldwide. Travel costs are always transparent and shared when possible.
Both. Commercial: Sony + Leica digital for speed. Personal & covers: Contax 645, Hasselblad 500CM and Leica M6. You get the look you love, without the risk.
Preview in 24h, full curated gallery in 5 working days, retouch in 10. Rush 48h available for editorials.
Yes — signed editions of 5+2AP, Hahnemühle, framed in Lisbon. From €380. Exhibition pieces via galleries.
Portraits, editorials, campaigns, weddings with soul — or just coffee and photo talk in Alcântara. Reply within 24h, promise.