Instacrush @lurvalles

I love instagram. I probably spend too much time flicking through images of other people’s lives. But I find it so interesting. I love seeing the seasons change for friends on the other side of the world. It is torture, yet comforting, seeing a sunny summer in North America in the depths of a Central Highlands winter. I love seeing what other people are cooking, living and experiencing.

I have made quite a few real life friends through instagram. I used to think it was a little creepy (and there are some creepy people on there, don’t get me wrong) but most of the time, it is just other mums, dads and humans living life and sharing their stories.

So I have decided to share some of my favourites with you. And my first favourite is a mum I found in Lisbon, Luciane Valles. Her family photographs really move me. They are so honest, refreshing and really tell the story childhood and family life. I asked her some questions and she was kind enough to share some of my favourite photos.

1. There are kids in most of your photos, are they yours (just checking)?
How old are they and if you don’t mind, what are their names?

Yes, my kids are definitely my favourite subject! Alice is 3 and Vicente is 6.

2. How do you spend your days? Do you hang out with your kids? Work? Both?

I spend my weekdays at my professional job, where I work as graphic designer. These days are very busy, chaotic and we don’t get to spend much time together which is hard for me at times. Which makes the weekends so welcome! These days are very important to my mental health and to our happiness as family. We try to keep some rituals, like going to the market every Saturday morning, going to parks and hanging out in the city, we love our city, Lisboa is so beautiful!

But I confess, it’s not always perfect, sometimes we are all too tired to go on adventures. So we just meet family, try to relax and not do too much.

3. Do you feel you are the same person you were before you had children? Do you still have the same passions? Are they different? Did they get put aside?

I like to think about how I used to be before, when I had so much spare time but used to complain I had none. Now I feel like I always have to do something, it’s nonstop and I have so little time for my own hobbies and passions. I have always enjoyed doing creative things since I was a kid, so I try motivate my children to paint and draw with me.

I think becoming a mother has added new interests. I fell in love with the children’s universe and started a blog with a friend, a place where we collect things that inspired us. I also use this space to document my kids’ growth through my photography, a true passion that has increased since I’ve had kids.

4. What is something your children have taught you?

Something they teach me everyday is to live each moment with intensity, not worry about what is going to happen tomorrow or next week, just enjoy the small moments and be happy with what you have. I used to be so anxious, they are teaching me to calm down and be present.

5. What is your lunch box favourite?

Lots of veggies and pasta! I love pasta so much, perhaps it’s my Italian roots. I wish I could say fruit, but that’s something I still have to learn from my eldest kid, a fruit lover.

Go and check out her gorgeous feed for yourself. Have a beautiful day. x