Where am I

Riley Mousso

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
I’m currently working on a liminal photography project titled Where Am I. It’s a series of photographs taken around my hometown at night, capturing everyday scenes that carry an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
The biggest thing I learned while making these photographs is what I genuinely enjoy photographing and what I can see myself focusing on in the future. Taking pictures at night has been surprisingly therapeutic, and it’s helped me narrow in on the kind of work I want to be remembered for.

What words, ideas or emotions were running through your head?
The main emotion running through my head while making these photographs is anxiety. I tend to overthink whenever I’m out shooting, especially late at night by myself. There’s always a voice of self-doubt telling me not to go into certain places, not to stop for a photograph, or convincing me I’ll get into trouble if someone sees me.

The funny thing is that, after years of taking photographs, nobody has ever actually come up to me or said anything. Because of that, I’ve really embraced the idea of asking for forgiveness rather than permission. Most of the time, I’m the only person holding myself back.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
I’ve done a lot of soul-searching recently and spent time watching interviews on Willem Verbeeck’s YouTube channel. The conversation that resonated with me most was his interview with Todd Hido. It really helped me focus on the direction I wanted this project to take.

What’s been the most difficult thing you’ve faced recently in your creative process?
Without a doubt, the weather here in upstate New York. We had a huge snowstorm, and it’s been unbearably cold. Finding the motivation to head out after working an eight-hour shift is difficult, but thankfully I’ve been feeling inspired lately and have been doing my best to keep creating.

What is your favorite restaurante and why do you like going there?
My favourite restaurant is Pura Vida Ville, a small family-run Mexican and Costa Rican restaurant here in Rochester, New York. I usually order the 12-inch burrito, but I highly recommend trying the birria tacos.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
The title would be Ice Age, simply because of how brutal the weather has been lately. The soundtrack would be by Nujabes, since, despite the cold, it’s actually been a pretty calm month.

Recommend one or more artists you follow who inspire you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
It’s hard to choose because Instagram introduces me to so many incredible artists every day, but some of my favourites are Todd Hido, Briscoe Park, Oswaldo Cepeda, Jake Wagner, Austin Prendergast, JM Miller, and Tye Martinez.

Each of them has a completely unique visual language, but what they all share is the ability to make me feel something deeply through their work. Every time they post, I’m reminded of how much there still is to learn, and that motivates me to become a better photographer.