Claudio Robles

Claudio, thank you for joining us. Could you start by telling us a little about your journey from journalism to photography?

Journalism initially intrigued me. I was passionate about it until my first assignment as an intern, which involved covering piloting lessons for a prominent politician. The experience turned sour when the small plane had a mishap, resulting in a broken wing. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the incident was shrouded in secrecy. We were instructed not to disclose anything to the media; officially, the politician obtained his pilot license without a hitch. It was a chilling realization that journalism wasn't my path. Instead, I pivoted towards the visual aspects, becoming captivated by societal evolution and the relentless pace of change. This fascination propelled me towards storytelling and ultimately into the world of fashion, where each project embodies new ideas and hints of the future.

How do your Latin American roots influence your approach to capturing images?

Growing up in Latin America profoundly influenced my work in multiple ways. One of the most significant influences is my deep appreciation for community and the power that emerges when people collaborate closely and trust one another. Additionally, coming of age as a gay individual in Latin America during a time when acceptance was more challenging has instilled in me a strong commitment to advocate for those who continue to face visibility and respect issues. I passionately envision a future where our diversity enriches us, turning our differences into sources of strength rather than division.

When you hear the word "rebirth," what artwork immediately comes to mind?

I believe that life is a continuous process of rebirth—that's an integral part of our journey. It involves not only acquiring new knowledge and experiences but also shedding old habits and sometimes even parting ways with people. I've learned the importance of not clinging to the past.

Your work beautifully merges the classic with the contemporary. How do you achieve this balance in your images?

I've long been fascinated by the future and evolution, but not in a sci-fi sense—rather, from a grounded, realistic perspective that's deeply rooted in history and nostalgia. The interplay between classic and contemporary is a recurring motif in my photography. To me, the future cannot exist without acknowledging the past. Any innovative or progressive concept must be firmly grounded in our historical context. When viewers encounter work that appears dissonant yet shares common roots, it becomes easier to comprehend and embrace new ideas, thereby challenging existing paradigms.

How would you define "Modern Masculinity" in your own words?

Masculinity has become a sensitive topic nowadays, probably because its meaning has been changing rapidly or because it differs depending on countries, races, and age groups. To me, modern masculinity is about embracing one’s true self without the need to appear a certain way for the world to see. It’s about identity, not image. Although these two words are usually related, there’s a key difference between them.

You’ve worked with prominent fashion brands like Burberry and Alexander Wang. How do you ensure your artistic vision aligns with their commercial objectives?

It is always a challenge, and that’s what I love most about working with fashion brands. I think it’s very important to drop any stereotype and create a message that’s innocent and pure but constructed with technical knowledge. It’s satisfying because usually, brands let me know in advance what they like about my work and what they want me to repeat for them.

Your photography is described as having a narrative that transcends time. Can you expand on how you achieve this effect?

There’s some sort of magic brought by film photography, and one of them, for me, is the idea of a timeless image, something more difficult to achieve digitally due to the instantaneity of digital images and how they’re usually stored and displayed. I also try to base my lighting on real situations and feelings. I’m always trying to understand real scenarios to reproduce them in a controlled environment.