When Fernanda set off on an adventure in Portugal in 1992, accompanied by an analog camera, she couldn’t have imagined that this journey would one day become her first solo exhibition: A Via, held at Casa de Portugal from April to May 2018.

The series, created nearly 30 years earlier, captures the historical essence of Portuguese architecture and intertwines the country’s story with the photographer’s own. For her photographic journey, the trip became a milestone—the first time she truly considered the composition of each shot and took on the commitment of getting every frame just right.

Flying over Ibirapuera Park in a helicopter, Fernanda caught a glimpse of exactly what Oscar Niemeyer envisioned back in 1954: “it’s a true Oca!”—in all its grandeur and strength. The aerial view left a deep impression on the photographer and sparked the creation of Projeto Breu.

The series captures her favorite places in São Paulo, with the aim of sharing the way she sees the city. It was a precise and painstaking endeavor, demanding thorough planning, as the chosen scenes allowed no room for error.

With strict flight regulations in place, each photo bears the mark of challenge and risk—the very elements that drive her work. Taken from a helicopter with the doors open, Fernanda was held in place only by a safety belt.

The result: striking images of urban spaces, carved by bold colors and sharp contrasts, surrounded by the vast shadows of the city.