Helena Pires

I grew up in a flat overlooking the Ribeira and I still time my sessions around the light bouncing off the river, since the colours on the houses change completely through the day. On camera I follow the narrow lanes down to the water rather than staying on the main quay, since that is where the district's actual life happens. I point out which facades are original tile and which are recent repainting, since the two get confused easily from a distance. I keep my phone at a walking pace rather than rushing between landmarks. I answer questions about the district's UNESCO listing and its ongoing restoration as honestly as I can.