My name is Carina, I am Portuguese and I have lived in Ireland for 6 years. I work as a freelance photographer. Photography came into my life gradually. My mother was always in love with photos but that didn't influence me because I actually wanted to be a stylist. Unfortunately, there was a year that I failed in school, and the photography course came up with a suggestion to finish high school and learn the profession at the same time. At the time, I thought I wouldn't like it but after the first few weeks of the course I couldn't see myself doing anything but taking pictures.

I studied photography in Portugal at Escola Prossifional Digital de Lisboa, and after that I studied on my own and started doing workshops.

My first photograph was as a result of a group work at the photography school. At the time, I still didn't possess my own camera, so I had to use my colleague's. The idea of the work was architecture photography. Unfortunately, I don't have this photograph with me anymore.

Canon EOS 200D

Lens 50mm 1.8

Reflector

2 Softbox 60x90 cm

One of my big dreams is to have my work recognized internationally, and also to be able to photograph an editorial for the vogue magazine.

The biggest compliment I can receive is knowing that people who were very afraid of taking a photo shoot left the shoot happier and more confident than when they arrived. And also, when they tell me that they love today a little more than everyday after the photo shoot

Portrait

Fashion

Lifestyle

When I decided to participate my first thought was "I'll be able to create something more artistic and prove to myself that I'm capable". And winning the prize at the end will make me look at the statue and remember the project I created myself and how I managed to reach the final and still win and also, to never give up on anything.

I participated in this contest because of the pandemic. We were closed for several months in a row without work, so I felt a huge need to express my creativity. My photographic project talks about the 7 deadly sins, which the pandemic has highlighted even more. Along with all the stories about the 7 sins, I did a color and fashion study in order to convey the 7 deadly sins messages in a fashion editorial. Each color represents a sin along with the type of clothing chosen as well. Here are the descriptions: Red - Anger; Orange - Gluttony; Yellow - Envy; Green - Greed; Blue - Luxury; Ink - Sloth and Lilac - Pride.

Winning the Muse Awards 2021 gives me a boost of self-confidence both professionally and personally.

The trophy will be a reminder for me to never give up on anything.

Gonçalo Catarino (Portuguese Fashion Photographer)

André Britto (Portuguese Fashion Photographer)

Lara Jade (American Fashion Photographer)

The best knowledge I can give is start with what you have today!! Because perfection doesn't exist and the world is evolving rapidly. So, it is better to do your best at that moment than perfect and never finished. There's a quote by Mark Zuckerberg that I hold on to, which is "ideas don't come out fully formed. They only become clear when you work on it. You just have to get started".

Firstly, you have to study the technical parts of photography to understand the basic knowledge. Once you have discovered them, learn how to use the camera that you have. The most important part of the whole process is to participate and practice very hard and let the creativity flow during the process.

One step at a time.

Step by step with a clear perspective in mind of what you want to achieve

And always rejoice in your wishes.

I would like to thank all my team for their support and patience during the project which is so special to me.