From a coffee to a shave, it’s all about relationships.

This past weekend I meet over coffee with Anna Gunn, the mastermind behind the previous and upcoming Port Photo Fest. I already had heard wonderful things about Anna and the first edition of the workshops, which included world-known photographers like John Stanmeyer and top photo educators including David Nightingale, and Sara Lando. Funny thing, I had worked with David and Sara in Dubai, but had never met Anna before.

Anna lives in Porto and I’m living between Lisbon and Brooklyn. What was expected to be a standard coffee meeting to discuss ways to collaborate (more info coming soon), turned into a fantastic experience and very productive exchange of ideas, books, our favorite spots to shoot, and of course, to eat.

After four hours of brainstorming and soul-charging, Anna took me to her favorite ice cream shop (the salted caramel flavor AND the chocolate noir were heavenly), and we discussed a long-term project I’m currently producing about Portuguese artisans. She immediately mentioned Claus Porto, a Portuguese soap factory/store that has been in business for over 130 years and 4 generations.

We finished our ice cream(s) and went straight to the store which also doubles as a small museum and as a barber shop. To make an incredible day even better, I was invited to try Claus Porto’s products while getting the first professional shave in my life!

In the end, it’s all about relationships. Yes, it is who you know, but most importantly, how you connect with people, share the same interests, help each other and team up to build awesome things. I am sure many exciting projects will come out of this “coffee meeting” that ended with a shave.

Turn off Netflix, go out, and meet people face to face. Magical things might happen.