The Last Witch Photoshoot

It all started with a simple scroll through Instagram. I stumbled upon a reel with a group of friends immersed in a Halloween photoshoot. The mood, the creativity, the almost tangible magic in the air , so  I decided to  share it on my stories, not thinking much of it, but that small spark was enough to set everything in motion.

Not long after, my sister-in-law messaged me saying she’d love to do something like that.

She already had a friend who was just as excited about the idea, and that’s when it clicked.

Why not make it happen?

I decided to take the lead, to weave our collective ideas into something real and enchanting.

Every good coven needs balance. Two witches are powerful, but three? That’s iconic.

So I invited Maria to join us, knowing her energy would complete our trio.

Then came the question, where should this magic unfold?
I remembered someone mentioning the ruins of the old convent in Monchique, and that vision lingered in my mind. I asked my friend Jorge, practically a Monchique specialist, if he had been there, how it looked, and if it was worth a visit. Jorge’s guidance was super helpful, and after hearing all he knew, I was sure that this was our photoshoot place. I shared the location with my witches, and our plan started to get a shape.

The convent ruins are hauntingly beautiful, nature is slowly reclaiming stone walls, shadows dancing in the corners, silence heavy with stories of the past. Though abandoned, we learned a man still lived there, but he  welcomed us warmly, letting us move freely among the overgrown halls. It felt like stepping into another world, suspended between history and imagination.

For me, planning always begins with a WhatsApp group and a Pinterest board,  so everyone could see the mood, the aesthetic, the energy I wanted to get during our photoshoot.

From that first spark, excitement grew. We start to share ideas, we gathered props, and  I could see  our witchy world materialize.

The preparation became almost as collaborative spell. Daniela borrowed dresses, old books, and mystical objects from friends, instantly infusing the scene with atmosphere. Maria hunted for magical finds and added her own touches. The girls helped each other with makeup, and I went Halloween shopping to gather extra details. I was determined to include herbs, especially sage, for authenticity but I almost gave up to get it. I asked nearly everyone in the market, when I started to lose hope,  I finally found it at the last stall!
I had also forgotten salt, but Margarida kindly brought some along when I texted her on the way.
You know, maybe for someone it doesn't make much sense, doesn't look important but it’s the little touches that make the magic feel complete.

I reached out to Catarina (myjewelkat on Instagram), who lent us stunning jewelry.  Pieces inspired by nature itself, echoing the forested energy of the convent ruins.
With all the props, outfits, and accessories in place, the aesthetic was fully realized. It became mysterious, earthy, and undeniably witchy.

Of course, there were challenges. It was a bit darker than I expected, so we got less time than I thought  and because of that  I wasn’t able to execute every idea exactly as I imagined. But that’s the joy of learning — next time, I’ll know better.

And then we brought our project to life.
Three women, ancient stone ruins, scattered herbs, mystical jewelry, and me with my camera capturing it all.

My favorite memory? A cheeky chicken who seemed determined to star in almost every shot. Look closely, and you might spot a little feathered guest wandering and looking like a perfect model! 😄

What began as a simple idea became a magical, collaborative experience. The Last Witch Photoshoot wasn’t just about costumes or Halloween. It was something more. It was about connection, creativity, and the pure joy of making something beautiful together.
Special thank you to my beloved assistent/husband to get me to the place in one piece ( I hate to drive in small streets) and who helped us with caring all the things and also made some magic with the smoke in the witch pot.

If you would like to have a photoshoot with your friends — witches, princesses, or whatever your imagination dreams up — we can make it happen. Just write me an email with your idea, how many people, and we can start brainstorming!