Crafting the Story Behind the Photo With Sofia and Mauro
Crafting the Story Behind the Photo With Sofia and Mauro
Delsey Paris x VISUALPLEASURE
NEW HORIZONS - WORLD TOUR 2024
Argentian Artists of the week - Sofia and Mauro
Name:
Delsey Paris x VISUALPLEASURE
NEW HORIZONS - WORLD TOUR 2024
Argentian Artists of the week - Sofia and Mauro
Photography:
Sofia and Mauro
Words:
Erica Nichols
Argentian photo duo Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello will meet you half way. They’ll set the scene. Develop the theme. Create a photo that makes you want to lean in closer. How you perceive it is up to you. Sanchez and Monngiello play in fashion, editorial, and personal landscapes to craft one singular vision with a multitude of stories — allowing you, the viewer, to uncover the narrative that speaks to you. Discover more about their approach below, how travel influences their work, and how they developed their ‘mise-en-scene’ concept for
When you travel like Sofia Sanchez and Mauro Mongiello, you take a piece of every destination with you as you go. New landscapes. Different cultures. The Argentinian photo duo are used to blending various perspectives into a singular vision. Every shot feels caught in a moment in time — capturing photos that look unique on the surface, but unlock a universal experience. “We hope [our photography] creates a sense of wonder, a sense of magic,” says Sanchez. “We see our pictures as stills from a movie. We want viewers to ask themselves: what happened here?”
What excites you most about shooting fashion editorial projects?
Sofia and Mauro: Since we began working as a duo, we have been fascinated by fashion and editorials. These editorials give us a canvas for storytelling and a space to let our imagination and creativity go wild. For us, each editorial is like crafting a little scenario that we create in our mind and transcribe in photos. They serve as a platform for experimentation and expression, allowing us to convey our unique visions.
What are some of the most important qualities of a photograph for you?
It’s not the technical aspect that comes first, rather, it's the emotion and message conveyed by the image. Occasionally, the image that resonates most with people from our work is one we didn't particularly like. But once the image is out there, it's not our place to decide if it’s good or bad. That’s the magic of art.
How do you balance your creative identity with commercial projects?
While we enjoy extended freedom with our editorials and personal projects, commercial work requires us to stick to the advertising frame. In that structure, we try to keep our vision and contribute our perspective to each project. Collaborating with art directors and brands is very interesting for us. The exchange of ideas and the challenge of crafting advertising that is both "commercial" and "artistic" is highly rewarding for the final image.
What do you hope your photography expresses to people?
We hope it creates a sense of wonder, of magic. We see our pictures as stills from a movie. We want viewers to ask themselves, "What happened here? What happened before? What is going to happen next?" And hopefully, the image will somehow stay in the mind of the reader.
How do you continue to push yourselves as artists?
We’re always looking ahead. Once a project is finished, we don’t dwell on it; instead, we get excited about what comes next. As a duo, communication is key. We talk every day, discussing work or anything that inspires us. This constant dialogue gives us the drive to keep creating new images.
How much do you plan ahead of time versus rely on candid moments?
We discuss the direction of the shoot beforehand, considering composition, framing, style, etc… But we rely on spontaneity to capture the image. We rarely use a tripod, because we like the small spontaneous, unconscious "accidents.” Editing also plays a significant role in crafting the final image. That’s when we can choose the frame that feels more compelling to us.
“We see our pictures as stills from a movie. We want viewers to ask themselves: what happened here?”
How does travel influence your work and world view as an artist? Any specific travel stories that have stayed with you or informed your work?
We are constantly traveling, blending work and pleasure. Each trip gives us the opportunity to discover new territories, different cultures and landscapes. These experiences enhance our vision and creative process. We find inspiration in each destination…whether near or far. It could be a distant country or just a different neighborhood of the city we live in.
As far a story that stayed with us, we recall our first time in Los Angeles, where our trip from the airport to the hotel was catered by surreal visions; in particular, we remember this elderly women with beautiful Old Hollywood bleach blonde hair who was watering her lawn in high heels and a shiny latex bodysuit. A scene that could be out of a David Lynch movie.
Talk to us about what you’re creating with DELSEY Paris.
We're crafting images “mise en scene” in a vibrant city landscape. Emerging from shadows into bright sunlight, characters carry DELSEY Paris trunks. Our aim is to evoke intrigue, using the concept of a generic city to convey a universal vibe. We seek images that are visually appealing with captivating composition and colors, but more importantly, enigmatic. We want viewers to ask themselves: where are these people with their DELSEY trunks going? What journey are they on? What's their destination?
What’s in your DELSEY?
Our personal cameras of course (Sofia’s Nikon FA - Mauro’s Contax T2)
Sofia’s sketchbook where she draws the drafts for our shoots and writes about her inspirations.
Sofia always travels with Samuel Francois jewelry — always chic in any situation.
Yerba Mate, the delicious infusion that is consumed in our country, Argentina.
Palo Santo to keep good vibes on set!
Stick sunscreen, hat, and toe warmers — must haves for every exterior shoot!
