If I had to sum up this photoshoot in one word, it would be “golden”, not just because of the light, but because of everything it meant to me. I was pregnant at the time with my son, and in a very quiet way, that changed how I experienced the entire day. It wasn’t just a shoot anymore; it became something I carried with me, moment by moment, feeling everything a little more deeply and emotionally. I wasn’t there on my own, in a way I had my baby boy with me, sharing that moment with me throughout.
This photoshoot with Noémie Neuens was commissioned by Playboy USA, under the direction of Smiley Stevens. The original plan was to fly to Los Angeles for the production, but because I was pregnant, I asked if we could bring the shoot to Europe instead, where I am based. Thankfully, they agreed. And in the end, it made everything feel even more special: a Playboy USA Playmate feature, created under my own sun, in my own little corner of the world.
We shot on July 30, 2025, with the river and the Atlantic ocean in the background, making the whole scene feel naturally cinematic.
Our set was a beautiful vintage Jeanneau Attalia 32, a real nostalgic gem. The kind of boat that doesn’t just sit in the water, but feels like it carries stories with it. Slightly weathered, full of character, and absolutely perfect for the mood I had in mind, timeless, cinematic, and a little bit dreamy.
And then there was Noémie.
Sun-kissed and beautifully bronzed, she looked like she was made for the sea. Everything about the way she moved felt natural, and every frame felt alive.
It was a beautiful day of sun, sea, and creation, and one I’ll always carry with me.
– Ana Dias
BTS photos by Gonçalo Jorge
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Photographer: Ana Dias; Executive Producer: Gonçalo Jorge; Playboy Editor-in-Chief: Mike Guy; Creative Director: Smiley Stevens; Creative Project Manager: Alicen Lewis; Director of Operations: Maryanne Tongko; Makeup & Hair: Carla Tkachov – Team Raquel Batalha; Boat Captains: André Cipriano, Rui Rodrigues; On-Board Crew Support: Beatriz Filipa; Logistics & On-Set Support: Eva Pinto; Drone Operator: Pedro Barradas; Camera Operator & Video Editor: Filipe Figueiredo; Special Thanks: Setúbal Alive
TAGS
Playboy, Noémie Neuens
