It’s hard not to get lost in the magic that’s Pia Riverola’s photography. We can’t lie, she’s inspired many posts, moments and feelings of ours – her images are ethereal and perpetually dreamy. When we scroll through our saved section on our Instagram, her work is a regular feature. So, we sat down for five minutes with the photographer whose work has been featured in the likes of Harper’s Bazaar and Wall Street Journal, and who’s worked with clients including Google and Apple.

Where are you from originally and where are you based now?

I was born and raised in Barcelona and currently, I am based between Los Angeles and Mexico City.

How did you get into photography?

I was always interested in photography and used disposable cameras and a film camera that my grandfather gave me when I was really young, I used to photograph my friends in school and any day trips we would go on. Later on, I studied film in Barcelona and had photography classes too, which is when I was formally introduced to photography. I started capturing my trips and daily routines.

I feel like a lot of your work is captured during the golden hours of the day, what draws you to this?

I like carrying my camera around all the time, regardless of the hour, but it is true that the softer light at sunrise and sunset is beautiful and the colors are warm and soft. Hard light hours work too for different things, interiors and architecture, shadows are hard and strong. It’s about finding what light works with what in every moment.

How do find the ideal balance between personal projects and commercial work?

I try to always do some personal work in between hours on commercial shoots, or I stay a few more days to experience my personal view of the place I am at. It gives me life and energy to discover different places and cultures, and when I can’t because of time or schedule, I try to find little moments here and there to still get a glimpse of it.

When were you able to pursue photography as a full-time career? Do you feel like your Instagram has aided this process? You have over 130,000 followers!

I think I realized it was becoming more serious once I moved to Mexico City. The possibilities were infinite and everything felt very new and undiscovered so that gave me a boost of inspiration and creativity. In a very organic way, I started to share my work on social media and then some magazines reached out to shoot stories or publish my work. Later on, that led to commercial projects. Social media is definitely a tool that has helped all the way.

What’s a career highlight of yours?

Every shoot is special in its own way, especially because most of the time I’m travelling around the world and this makes it extremely exciting. A highlight will be when I publish my photo book.

In times of trouble, how do you centre yourself?

I look at the bright side of things, literally, get the camera and go outside and walk around, look at things from a different perspective and try to find the beauty in the world.

What are your rituals?

Not many to be honest, it’s difficult to have routines when you are on the go all the time. One thing that I almost always do is waking up while sunrise and see the first beams of light through my window, it usually happens naturally, I almost never set an alarm unless I have an early morning shoot.

Favourite skincare products?

Rowse, my friend Nuria’s all natural-based products, the avocado and camelia oils are the best.

Your work has been featured in the likes of Vogue UK, Harper’s Bazaar, Wall Street Journal and you’ve worked with clients including Balenciaga, Google and Apple, who’s next on your list? Any projects in the pipeline you can tell us about?

For now, I’m working on a guide book with a friend, and on my personal photo book, hopefully, I can show more soon.

Who inspires you?

Kind and welcoming people inspire me, anyone and everyone that I’ve met on shoots in remote countries, humble human beings that have nothing but offer you everything. People driven by love for our planet and that care for life, old souls that have stories to tell, about history, heritage and love.

When are you coming to shoot in New Zealand? I think you’d love it here.

I have never been and can’t wait for it, hopefully, I can visit soon.

What’s next for Pia Riverola?

In London currently and going back to Barcelona to see my family for a while, then a road trip around France and Italy and back to Los Angeles for the end of summer.

Thank you Pia!

Follow Pia @piariverola & see more of Pia’s work here

Interview — Liam Sharma
Photography — Pia Riverola

Pia Riverola