We met on a bright morning at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Polina stepped out in her first look – a stylish off-the-shoulder grey knit top and pleated skirt. Her passion for Korean culture and K-style aesthetic was instantly apparent in her styling, graceful posture, and quiet demeanor.
Yet beneath that cool style, she was undeniably shy and introverted. Around people she doesn't know well, Polina tends to put up a quiet, reserved guard, keeping her true expressions hidden.
Connecting with her was a fascinating creative challenge. At 46, photographing a 14-year-old whose parents' wedding I documented years before she was born creates a real generational divide.
Teenagers easily shut down if they feel judged or pressured into stiff poses. Instead, we focused our shots around the historic stone fountain on the terrace, chatting casually about music and travel while keeping the atmosphere completely relaxed.
The turning point happened the moment I turned my camera around. After capturing a few frames by the fountain in the soft morning light, I showed her the back of the LCD screen.
Seeing how natural, striking, and photogenic she looked broke the ice in a split second. Her shoulders dropped, a genuine smile reached her eyes, and that protective teenage reserve dissolved right before my lens.
Still in her first grey knit outfit, we began walking down through the quiet, picturesque cobblestone alleys of Bairro Alto.
Booking a flexible 2-hour photography package gave us the breathing room to wander without watching the clock, chatting like friends and soaking in the classic Lisbon atmosphere.
Just before reaching the famous Elevador da Bica, Polina changed into her second outfit: a white tee featuring a bold, oversized athletic number on the front.
Lisbon's iconic funicular was halted on the steep cobblestone incline that morning, giving us a stationary vintage yellow carriage as an authentic, undisturbed backdrop without tourist rush.
We continued walking down the hill on foot, taking in the steep scenic viewpoints. We approached Miradouro de Santa Catarina, but the mid-morning sun was blazing hot.
Rather than staying under the harsh glare, we took just a few quick frames nearby and immediately moved on into the cooler shaded stairways and narrow alleys.
Seeking out the pockets of shade along the stone staircases turned into a fun collaborative game. Polina wasn't just posing; she was actively looking for cool corners and laughing naturally.
Capturing the candid, effortless emotions that usually only close friends and family get to see is the real hallmark of a great teen portrait session.
Our route brought us down toward Cais do Sodré and the green lawns of the park outside Time Out Market (Jardim Dom Luís).
Here, Polina slipped into her third outfit – a light, breezy summer look perfect for a relaxed stroll among the palm trees and park benches.
With her confidence completely unlocked, every frame felt fluid and authentic. Her striking features and intuitive fashion sense showed a natural poise in front of the lens, capturing that fleeting, beautiful milestone between childhood and youth.
While waiting for Inesa and Anton to rejoin us after their walk along the riverfront, we stepped inside Time Out Market for a few final portraits.
The bustling market hall's warm neon glow and industrial textures provided a stylish, modern finish to our morning.
By the end of the shoot, Polina and I had become great friends. Both she and her parents were thrilled with the final photos.
In fact, Polina has stayed in touch with me since the cruise, asking personal questions and advice about getting into the modeling industry. Bridging that generational gap and helping a shy teenager discover her own confidence is the most rewarding part of what I do.
