How did you begin your career as a fashion photographer and art director?
I studied Art Direction in Film-making back in Argentina. After finishing my studies, I worked color-correcting movies in Post Production, where I discovered my trademark and passion for color. Photography was still an extracurricular hobby until I moved to NY to study at the International Center of Photography (ICP), and then I realized that this was my language, and my city as well. There was a novelty that fed my creativity in a way I didn’t experience before and I was able to find my own language as a photographer. I always loved fashion and before starting Film school I spent one year studying Fashion Design, so there was already a seed planted. When I finished ICP, I did an internship for Sebastian Faena, a big Fashion Photographer and I loved it so I started exploring this world. Although as a photographer you work with a team, I always like to contribute with my point of view as an art director, I think that both things are very difficult to disassociate.
Tell us about your work with brand product photography.
Aside from my commercial work, I always try to work on a personal project, this keeps my creative muscle alive and my creative freedom flowing. I am represented by Praxis Gallery in NY, where I had various solo shows as well as participating in group shows in Paris, Dusseldorf and Barcelona and Art Fairs in LA, Miami and London UK. The work I have exhibited as an artist brought me the most exciting commercial projects. I love when I can apply my artistic vision into a brand and the conversation that can be created between commercial and fine artwork.
What’s your favorite part about the New York creative community?
In 2023 I moved to Paris for a few months and when I came back to NY the first thing that I realized I missed was my creative community. I haven’t thought about it until recently and now it is something I wouldn’t be able to let go. I love the support that this creative community creates, not only between friends but also between people that you connect with through your work. It makes you feel inspired, motivated and wanting to become better in what you do, it is an expander for me. NY gives you access to people that you admire as the same time that gives others access to you, and this can happen anywhere: in a picnic on a Sunday afternoon as well as in a posh opening in a fancy gallery.
How did migrating from your home of Buenos Aires inspire your design style?
Being far away from home allowed me to take some distance and re-signify the familiar. Buenos Aires has a love for craft, classic rituals, beautiful architecture, amazing trees, a chaotic pattern of the old and the new, the nostalgia of the past and the love for bringing people together. When you move from your country of origin there is a need to hold strong to your identity and in this process, I started to understand which was mine through my work. Suddenly all these things start to speak louder and your work and style become a way of defining yourself and your background.
Do you have a favorite photographer (past or present)?
I have many favorite photographers, it’s hard to pick one…some on my list include:
Luigi Ghirri, Jamie Hawkesworth, William Eggleston, Tyler Mitchel, Carlota Guerrero and Nadine Ijewere. I find inspiration in the vision and in the approach to beauty all these talented photographers bring to our generation. I love to discover artists that come from different disciplines within photography and their approach to the same language: still images.
Follow Along:
@luciafainzilber
www.luciafainzilber.com