adriana santos

Adriana Santos is a Nature Photographer from Portugal. Currently living in Lisbon, she is also an Occupational Therapist specialized in Psychiatry and Mental Health. She chose her professional path motivated by the curiosity to understand what differentiates us from each other and makes us unique: our history, habits, choices, values, what we attribute meaning.

With a childhood lived in contact with Nature, she grew up torn between following a path in direct contact with Nature or choosing a path where she could explore themes such as the importance of history and individual choices and how what we value and love is at the same time what can help us in the most difficult times.

Photography is a way of being fully present in the “moment”, capturing the beauty of nature, life, feelings, valuing and embracing change, telling a story. It is the result of a variety set of moments : the experience of photographing, being in Nature, contemplating the beauty of the landscape, its beautiful shapes, capturing unique and timeless moments. Photography gave her a different perspective on how to look and contemplate the beauty of our planet, inspiring to improve and becoming an increasingly active voice in what concerns the value and richness of the natural world.

It became a fluid way of being in contact with her values, with what makes her feel alive and inspires her to be better. Also brought her something extremely important, as it allowed her to rediscover the therapeutic importance of the contact with the natural world, leading her to look for ways to incorporate this into her work as a photographer and mental health professional. Discovered the wonderful practice of “Forest Bathing” and got certified as a guide in this practice. It is a very powerful way of connecting people, enhancing their well-being and encouraging the conservation of forests, through the promotion of significant experiences in deep connection with Nature.

Started her photographic journey in 2017 with a particular focus on the landscapes of Portugal and Iceland, with images published in National Geographic Portugal magazine, BBC Earth online and Sony Alpha Female.