This project began during my photography studies and became a defining moment in my journey as a documentary photographer.

I accepted the challenge of accompanying Portugal’s emergency medical teams because it seemed almost impossible to gain access. The real challenge, however, was not getting permission to enter ambulances or follow the crews through the streets of Porto. It was finding an ethical way to photograph people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

For weeks, I struggled to find my place as a photographer. I entered homes where fear, pain and uncertainty filled every room, and the presence of a camera often felt difficult to justify.

Everything changed when I realised that my role was not to photograph tragedy, but to accompany those fighting to save lives. By focusing on the dedication of the emergency teams, I finally found my place as a photographer.

The six photographs that make up this project each stem from an independent report. Every story is different, yet they all reveal human vulnerability and the quiet commitment of those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.

It was through this project that I realised my photography would never be about tragedy, but about people.