Hospitality Photography
Lisbon, Portugal ·2026
Photographing the Pestana Palace, in Lisbon, meant stepping into a 19th-century palace classified as a National Monument. I devoted myself to capturing the grandeur of the former Palácio Vale Flor’s facade, with its carved stone staircases, the Portuguese cobblestone paving and the lush gardens where centuries-old trees are part of the monument itself. I sought the light that makes the pale-green facade glow and brings the palm-fringed pool to life.
Indoors, I aimed to honour the almost theatrical refinement of this five-star hotel: the royal salons with their stuccoes and gilding, the painted ceilings, the suites of classical elegance and the reception spaces that evoke the aristocracy of old. I also photographed the glazed winter garden, the event halls and the rooms in serene tones, attentive to every detail of furniture, mirror and chandelier. I worked with natural light and the warm light of the rooms to reveal the soul of this palace.
I rounded off the series with the gastronomic and leisure dimension of the Pestana Palace: the signature dishes served with refinement, the wines, the outdoor pool among the arcades and tropical vegetation. I also recorded the view over the Tagus river and the 25 de Abril bridge, which complete the unique character of this property. It was a privilege to photograph a place where the history of Lisbon is lived in every room and every garden.