Moments in time

Pia Riverola, the photographer who transforms the mundane into the magical, presents Días, a visual story spanning six years of her travels across the globe. With each image, Riverola captures the lingering beauty of daily life, from the sun-dappled streets of Italy to the serene landscapes of Japan. Días isn’t just a photo book — it’s an intimate exploration of time, memory and the subtle moments that often go unnoticed.

hube: Photography often involves observing and documenting the lives of others. How do you navigate the ethical considerations of being an observer, and what responsibilities do you believe photographers have towards their subjects?

Pia Riverola: Gesture language is important, taking the time to read into people or situations, out of respect for the subject and culture, but also because I’m drawn to a certain type of character, so most of the time, I like to take the time. I enjoy having conversations and getting a glimpse of the personality of the person I’m capturing. Connection with the subject is reflected in photography and brings joy to both sides. I’m genuinely interested in the moment, and I capture it after.

h: How do you balance subjectivity and objectivity in your work? Do you strive for a neutral representation of your subjects, or do you embrace your personal perspective and biases?

PR: I’ve always thought that neutrality in art is really complicated and, for me, sometimes unachievable. Context and mood always play a role. It might not be obvious to me at the moment it’s happening, but it can be recognised after a while. Personally, I’ve had emotional times in which my imagery is quiet, colours are more muted, and I unconsciously search for something that I can connect to or relate to; other periods of change and challenge in which the strength, energy, and vibrancy can be felt in the photos as well.

h: Do you view photography as a form of language? If so, how do you use this language to communicate complex ideas and emotions that might be difficult to express through words?

PR: I use photography as a tool to communicate. I try my best to be honest and reflect on the reality that I experience in my surroundings. Storytelling is important; understanding the subjects and the background of what I’m capturing is something I always try to achieve.

h: Throughout your career, how has the process of photographing different cultures and landscapes contributed to your journey of self-discovery? Can you share a pivotal moment that significantly influenced your personal growth?

PR: Moving to Mexico after college had a tremendous effect on my personal growth. Being by myself in such a remote country pushed me to limits that I would not have been pushed to if I had stayed in Barcelona. It was an extremely challenging but exciting time. Mexico’s culture and familiarity are embracing and welcoming. Amongst many other things, it showed me gratefulness, generosity, and humility, and that’s something I take wherever I go and carry with me on my ongoing self-discovery path.

h: You often find beauty in the mundane and everyday moments. How do you approach the concept of beauty in your work, and how do you decide which everyday scenes are worth capturing?

PR: The perception of beauty is something very abstract to me and is usually conditioned by the narrative or emotion behind it. I can find beauty in a person, but also in a car ride or a bug, and those same things can create a very opposite feeling depending on the context.

h: Your ability to capture fleeting, ephemeral moments is remarkable. How do you train your eye to recognise and preserve these transient instances that might otherwise go unnoticed?

PR: Familiarity is attractive, possibly because I have been away from my home for so long. I always end up being drawn to the most quotidian moments that give me a sense of place. It’s interesting how cultures approach the same things but in different environments.

h: Looking forward, what legacy do you hope to build through your body of work? How do you envision your photography influencing future generations of artists and viewers?

PR: I think motherhood has changed my idea of legacy and what is relevant to leave behind. I want to be a strong reference for my son and future generations. It’s so important to create a path and environment in which women can exist in the context of motherhood and personal/professional self-worth without feeling like we have to give up one or the other, which is something still very present in life among female artists and women.