Finding the Right Light With Photographer Edith Diaz Rivera

Name:
Delsey Paris x VISUALPLEASURE
NEW HORIZONS - WORLD TOUR 2024
Mexican Artist of the week - Edith Diaz Rivera
Photography:
Edith Diaz Rivera
Words:
Erica Nichols

If you ask fashion photographer Edith Diaz Rivera, everything you need to take a great photo can be found outdoors. Strong natural light, eye-catching color, interesting shapes — in Mexico City, Diaz Rivera doesn’t need to travel far to find that spark of inspiration. Blending a love for fashion and nostalgia, Diaz Rivera photographs personal and commercial projects with a dream-like air. Discover her signature process and what she made for our DELSEY Paris collaboration below.

Were you always drawn to fashion/editorial photography and how did that develop?

Edith Díaz Rivera: I could say that it officially started when I had the opportunity to be on my first fashion shoot with models, stylists, and makeup artists after studying the technical part at college. But since my parents gave me my first camera at the age of nine, I always had the interest to document everything. In addition to fashion, I’m a big fan of leaning into nostalgia and memories, so I always took photos of my family and friends, and would direct them on how to pose.

What are some of the most important qualities of a photo to you?

Light and editing, which I see as a great tool to finish detailing and share how I saw it live. Normally, the camera doesn’t capture that 100% on its own, because the human eye is wonderful and incomparable, so editing is very important to complement the vision. At the same time, it wouldn’t be possible to create a good photo without good natural lighting and freezing a live moment.

What do you hope people see or feel in your work?

Joy, inspiration, and beauty.

How do you balance your creative identity with commercial projects?

I have been lucky enough to be chosen for commercial projects because of the type of photos I take and most of them have always been with natural light, which is present in almost all of my work.

When you’re free to create something of your own, are there certain places or themes you like to explore?

Yes, I love to choose an environment with nature, or in a studio that has natural elements and flowers. Same with large, old houses. Movement is important too. You can always get a great photo when the subject is almost dancing instead of posing.

What do you love most about Mexico City? Are there any local places that inspire you or you visit often to influence your work?

All of the colorful culture of the city — not only in the architecture, but in the streets, shops, houses, and people — always provides such an interesting background. That, and the funny, spontaneous everyday life that Mexico has. Above all that, my entire family is in this amazing city.

How do you continue to grow or challenge yourself as an artist?

Always visually feeding myself on the work of other photographers and accepting projects that challenge me to get to know another environment. Every experience is learning.

How does travel influence your work and world view as an artist?

Whenever I travel and see something that would be interesting to photograph, I send the location to my WhatsApp with a brief description. That way I have several options for outdoor shoots in so many different places.

Talk to us about what you’re creating DELSEY.

Just as I mentioned before, I had these sculptures on my WhatsApp as an option to take photos after I saw them going to a soccer game. And when I learned more about the DELSEY project, it seemed like an excellent option to highlight the aesthetics of DELSEY products with organic forms similar to those found in nature.

What’s in your DELSEY?

My laptop, iPhone trippie, and Canon t8i with 18-55 mm and 50mm lens.