MAMA KILLA
Photographer: Laura Sales
1. What significant life experiences or events have influenced and shaped your artistic vision?
For me, photography has always been a way to look inside myself and reinvent who I am with each project. I believe The experience that shaped my artistic vision the most was discovering analog photography. The process of developing my own rolls of film taught me to be patient and to appreciate every detail, which also led me to create a slower, more intimate style of photography with the people I capture. Through this experience, I discovered a more intimate connection with my images, something I continue to explore in my work today.
2. Collaboration often sparks fresh creativity. Can you share an example of a collaboration that led to an unexpected and exciting artistic outcome?
From the moment I met Alexa Cuba, it was clear we had a special creative connection. When she asked me to work on her new musical alter ego, 'Mama Killa,' I felt honored to be part of her vision. My job was to bring the visual side of the project to life, and from the start, everything flowed naturally. With an amazing team, we captured the essence of 'Mama Killa,' mixing strength, femininity, and a deep respect for the identity and culture Alexa wanted to reflect. This collaboration showed me how much can be achieved when creativity and passion come together.
3. Walk us through a specific project that challenged your creative boundaries. How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience?
Creating the visual identity for "Mama Killa" was a challenge for me. Normally, my approach as a photographer is very intimate – just me and the model working closely together, often outdoors or in small home studios, always using natural light. This time, things were completely different: there was a whole team involved, and most of the work was done in a professional studio with artificial lighting. It was the first time I worked in such a different setup. There's also the photographer-model connection. As I’ve mentioned before, creating an intimate atmosphere with the person I’m photographing is very important to me. It’s a way to go beyond just taking aesthetically pleasing photos. Something that happens with Alexa is that we’re able to create that intimate vibe even when surrounded by people.
4. In the ever-evolving art world, what do you believe sets your work apart and makes it unique or groundbreaking?
I think all of my photos tell a story. They're not just about the visuals, they’re about evoking emotions and sparking memories.
I love capturing the vulnerability and authenticity of the people I photograph. It's all about keeping things real, with an aesthetic that feels thoughtful but never fake. I want my photos to explore things like identity and self-reflection, giving more than just a typical portrait. A window into an emotional state.
In a world saturated with digitally edited images that are perfectly polished, my photos give off a feeling of authenticity, with their textures, soft colors, and small imperfections that make them feel human. It gives them this timeless vibe, like memories rather than just snapshots.
I’d say I’ve got my own style, but it's always changing and growing.
5. As you reflect on your journey, are there any specific goals or milestones you've set for your artistic career in the coming years?
I’ve set a few goals for the coming years. I want to dive deeper into the storytelling aspect of my work, developing more conceptual and meaningful projects while also refining my photography skills. I’d also love to share my creative process through workshops or mentoring as a way to inspire others and give back to the artistic community. My focus is on growing, experimenting, and bringing more meaning to every image I create.
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"Mama Killa" is a visual and music concept that reinterprets Alexa Cuba’s Peruvian roots through her new artistic alter ego. A fusion of the ancestral and the modern, this experimental project blends Andean folklore with electronic sounds, bringing to life an authentic expression. Mama Killa means "Goddess of the Moon" in Quechua.
The photos, resulting from a collaboration between various artists, were captured in analog format, combining the warmth of Portra 800 with the uniqueness of Bubblegum 400, a 35mm film produced in Barcelona. Each image was developed and scanned by dubblelab, giving the project a distinctive, organic character that reinforces its message of authenticity and cultural connection.
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Wardrobe Stylist: Khaliah Jones
Producer: Myeng Lee
Assistant: Valeria Polyakova
Model: Alexa Cuba
Makeup Artist: Maria De Ros
Lighting Designer: Chris Arend
Photographer: Laura Sales
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Dress: @carlospinedamx
Crown: @najjatharb
Top: @gambetta_brand
Necklace: @elisheva.and.constance
Earrings: @fernandorodriguezdesign_
Skirt: @najjatharb