Portuguese Houses with History - Ana Anahory

Sfat, Birgit: - \nBirgit Sfat (b. 1974), is a photographer and creative consultant based in Lisbon. Her passion for photography and for Portugal developed naturally from her parents, who both were photographers. She spent much of the early 1990s each year at the family home near Tavira.\n \nAfter studying economics, Birgit worked as a strategist in Munich, helping shape collections, communication, \n \nand brand identity for fashion labels before moving to San Francisco with her husband and daughter. There, \n \nshe founded Over the Ocean, which reflected her interest in thoughtful design, storytelling, and the work of small European makers. In 2019, her family relocated to Portugal permanently and settled in Lisbon.\n \nBirgit's work explores spaces, objects, and atmospheres--often at the intersection of personal memory and cultural heritage. With a clear, intuitive eye, she seeks out the quiet stories within interiors, capturing textures, light, and details that convey a sense of presence and place. Her photography is rooted in observation and simplicity, with a focus on interiors, travel, and portraiture. Her images have been featured in international magazines such as Milk Magazine and Journal Voyageurs, and in Family Adventures (Gestalten, 2021).\n \n \n\n