ISAAC FLORES

Interview with Barcelona based photographer, Isaac Flores. A travel to Barcelona’s underground life through this talented, young queer’s pictures.

Could we start with some background information about you? Where you grow up, where you based, how did you get interested in photography?

I was born in Barcelona and grew up in a suburb. As a child I painted and drew, but I left it at the beginning of adolescence, when I wanted to return I realized that I had no patience and it was too late. My mother bought me a
camera after high school. I guess it was a transition.

Do you remember the first picture you ever took?

It would probably be a picture of a pet of mine or the sky.

What was the moment when you ‘kind of decided’ to take photography seriously?

When I realized that it wasn’t torture for me like other jobs.

Do the city inspire you?
Of course, Barcelona is my stage. I think most resident artists know that it’s not a city to succeed or get rich, but it doesn’t matter. I’m happy here.

What is the best thing in Barcelona?

Barcelona has good and bad things like any other city. I like the unpretentiousness of the people around me and their beauty.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by people, the way they deal with life, the feeling of freedom, destruction, lack of seriousness and decadence.

Are you in touch with the other artists in the city?

Yeah, I’m a very lone wolf, though.

Do you consider yourself more naughty or nice?

Nice to my regret.

Is there a side of your soul what wants to be naughty?

Probably. I’d like to be more determined and let myself go sometimes.

Your personality is in balance with your photogaphy?

There’s a little bit of me in all my photographs. It’s just that I need order and emotional stability to keep up with my art. I’m trying to stay focused.

How is your process like in the studio? Do you talk with the models, tell them what to do, or just lisen and let them do whatever they want?

Very organic and natural. I don’t force anything and I want people to be comfortable. I have two or three ideas in my mind before the studio and then I improvise. It depends on the model, sometimes I direct everything or I don’t say anything. A language is created without hardly speaking. When they spend a few minutes shooting and the model relaxes, the magic really starts.

Can you explain how you got the idea for ‘Barcelona se muere’?

“Barcelona se muere.” is an independent photographic book of my photographs during 2017 and 2018, with the help of the graphic designer Hector Aspano. The title is a critique of the city’s loss of identity and how I admire my community. I just wanted it to transcend the digital into something material. The people in the book are friends, artists, acquaintances and one-night stands.