What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on them?
I had to let go of control and the need to construct a scene, something I’m used to in photoshoots. When doing documentary city photography, I had to learn to wait and look for the perfect moment, not to build it but simply to capture it.

What words, ideas or emotions were going through your head?
As a photographer, I believe we all pursue something when we take a photo. For me, it’s something intimate, a closeness that can be felt through the image. The photos that evoke this emotion are the ones I connect with most, and I like to think that this aspect runs through all of my work.

Were there any conversations, movies, music, or books that made their way into that work?
Learning from other photographers always pushes me to create. The documentary work of Richard Avedon inspires me. Photobooks and magazines also inspire my work; I have a collection of magazines and keep every page with photos that move me. At the moment, my favorite is InStyle Mexico; the editorial images in InStyle always end up being my favorites.

What's been the most difficult thing you've faced recently in your creative process?
I think analog photography and photographic style are things that not many people understand. Among creatives, it’s easy to recognize, but communicating this aspect of my work to the general public is more complicated.

What is your favorite restaurant and what do you recommend we order?
It’s not a restaurant, but right now I really like going to Inkultur, ordering the vanilla matcha with sea salt, and browsing the books they have.

If your life were a movie this month, what would it be called and who would write the soundtrack?
The title would be Staff, and the soundtrack would be by Fleetwood Mac.

Recommend us an artist you follow who inspires you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
Richard Avedon: I love the way he photographs people with so much intention and authenticity.

Purienne: Purienne’s work is beautiful; I really like the artistic tone of her images.

Anafer Flores: Her commercial work is my favorite and a major reference for me. I love how she leaves something in her images that immediately makes them recognizable as hers.

Sofia Moncayo Livas

Mexican photographer and visual artist.
I work with 35mm film and have an editorial focus.

www.instagram.com/sofiamlivas

La entrada Personal se publicó primero en ERRR MAGAZINE.