Rules of the game
Photographer: Ezequiel Gomez
1. What significant life experiences or events have influenced and shaped your artistic vision?
Growing up, we didn’t have access to many material things, so I developed a deep appreciation for those things I didn’t have. So beautiful things became something I aspired to, a kind of goal. As I grew older, I realized that beauty comes often from hard work, and it’s not always the most important thing in life. What became more meaningful was learning to appreciate beauty for what it is, without needing to own it. Photography gives me a way to experience that beauty without the need to possess it. It's like the fashion designers who dress with an effortless vibe — I like to think of myself in a similar way. I try to capture beauty and style in a way that feels natural and authentic, not defined by ownership or materialism.
2. Collaboration often sparks fresh creativity. Can you share an example of a collaboration that led to an unexpected and exciting artistic outcome?
a) Definitely. Early in my journey, I started attending meetups as soon as I got a decent camera and lens (I should have attended before with my basic camera) I was there with the wrong attitude, I had a very specific vision and believed it was the only one, then one day in Mexico, I reached out on Instagram for a shoot, and a model, MUA, and boutique responded. The MUA, Genaro (@genarofranco90s), started to suggest his own ideas, which at first annoyed me. But I decided to go with it as a sign of respect, and it completely shifted my perspective. His ideas pushed me to see new angles and movements I hadn’t considered. The result was something much better than I could’ve done alone, even though the original idea was mine. Check out some results photo 1 photo 2 photo 3
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?
There was a time when I hadn’t been shooting for a while due to my job taking up all my time. I felt disconnected from my creative side, so I decided to shake things up and rented a studio and some outfits, just to see what would happen. I didn't have a strict plan — I just wanted to see if I could apply everything I had learned up to that point. Luckily, I found a fantastic model, Olivia (@oliviacmcg), who was on board with the idea. We ended up creating some of my favorite photos, even though the process was much more spontaneous than I had originally planned. The experience taught me the value of staying active creatively, and that sometimes the best results come from embracing the unexpected rather than sticking rigidly to a pre-planned vision.
4. In the ever-evolving art world, what do you believe sets your work apart and makes it unique or groundbreaking?
I pay a lot of attention to the environment where I shoot. I want it to feel magical, like a scene from a movie or a comic book. While the concept itself may not be groundbreaking, my approach to creating that unique environment with everyone involved — from models to makeup artists — is what sets my work apart. It’s about sharing my vision and letting others add their creativity to make something special.
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?
Absolutely. One of my biggest goals is to work on commissioned editorial shoots for fashion designers or celebrity portraits — I’m excited by the prospect of working on larger, high-profile projects. I love the work I do as a software developer, but my ultimate goal is to be able to dedicate 100% of my time to photography. Each year, I feel like I’m getting closer to that goal, and I'm really excited to see where it will take me.
-
Some basic points for every...Every game
-
Photographer: Ezequiel Gomez
Model: Alyssa Benavides