I Want to Belong
Submission by Mariana Pacho Lopez Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski
The editorial I want to Belong was shot by Mariana Pacho Lopez together with Eliana Ochoa, stylist; Anastasiya Karasevich, Video Director; Juan Carabajal, Photography Assistant; featuring a model Veronica Manavella. The story creates a merge between the city and nature, approaching it as a whole in a modern environment, as a necessity in a day to day life to allow liquidity.
The portrayal is of a strong character who understands the need to balance and belong in different situations she finds herself during the day. The state of a dreamlike atmosphere that is emphasized through a metaphor of strength enhanced by nature conditions is balanced with the reality of life in the city with business and tourist centers which are shaped in the background.
Mariana Pacho López is a fashion photographer from Argentina, based in Mar del Plata. Her work emphasizes the element of reality with a hint of femininity and sensuality. Smooth and clear colors, natural weather conditions, the elementary pace of life becomes the theme that Mariana narrates through her vision.
Mariana tells WÜL about the day of the shoot, the harsh weather which was handled with drinking some warm Mate during the day, the professionalism of the team who knew how to handle any situation with some humor, and her individual approach to the importance of color choices through the character.
Photographer Mariana Pacho Lopez Styling Eliana Ochoa Talent Veronica Manavella at Supreme Management Paris & Monster MGMT & Sof Models Photography Assistant Juan Carabajal Videography Nasti Karasevich Producer Mariana Pacho López
‘before shooting someone, I always try to close my eyes and visualize colors and shapes that model's individuality makes me feel’
Tell about the location you chose for the shoot and the weather during this day. What was the main reason for you to make this choice?
Before shooting someone, I always try to close my eyes and visualize colors and shapes that model's individuality makes me feel. In the case of Veronica, I decided that her color would be blue, which sharpness could be underlined by contrasting angular surroundings. The rocky outcrop of Cabo Corrientes, which is on the coast of Mar del Plata, Argentina, had all the elements I expected the future photos should have. No less important was the fact that there’s a white and blue colored housing complex Mirador Edificio that was built in the 70s in front of the outcrop.
The shooting was held in the cold winter, in August, when temperatures are between -2 to 9 degrees. That day was especially cold, I think it was about 6 degrees Celsius. We agreed to that date because Veronica, who comes from Mar del Plata and currently resides in Paris, came to visit her parents for a while.
Is it your first time working with Veronica Manavella? How was your interaction with Veronica built on set, and what was the most important for you to get your vision realized?
Yes, it was the first time I worked with Vero. It had been a while since I wanted to shoot her, but there had always been reasons why we couldn’t do it!
Veronica is a really open person, and working with her felt very natural. Despite the cold weather and unbearably freezing wind from the south, the session went impeccably. Vero is a real professional! She knew how to control her facial expressions and body so the extreme temperatures wouldn’t be noticed through the photos.
A traditional Argentinian tea, Mate, played a huge role in this adventure! There’s always someone in Argentina who’s going to offer you a gulp while doing something. The weather is not usually taken into account when looking at a photograph, but during the session, it's one of the factors that most alters the result. Also, you have to stay focused despite the circumstances on the way to the final goal.
In this editorial, the city's business and leisure life through a glimpse of the villas and hotels, meets the colors of nature, the sea, the waves, and the wind. Tell about the styling from the black blazer to the orange swimsuit bikini bottom.
This is exactly what we wanted to depict. Both me and Eliana Ochoa, project stylist, came up with an idea to show the world how people are used to dressing here according to extremely changeable weather conditions. An idea that people living in Mar del Plata have to be always prepared to switch from a speed-walking by the sea coast to urban life activities is also a factor that influenced our apparel choice.
The sporty style is really popular in Argentina... Sometimes tracksuits are combined with outstanding bohemian accessories that provide the complete look with a deep poetic connection that one can have when living by the sea. So we chose a white shirt in a beach style (Gusmán) combined with an orange bikini. Such hues were chosen to echo the sand and rocks. There's no surprise that we'd chosen a couple of blue garments (cycling shorts and pants by the local independent apparel brand POL) shooting the story with the ocean in its background. By using Dr. Martens shoes and black Prada vintage blazer, we managed to give a vague modern touch to this sporty look.
‘I always try to work with people who have a lot of love for the thing they do. A sense of humor and a good mood at the shooting spot are not the last things! I couldn’t be on a team which doesn’t make jokes’
What is the story of this editorial about? Who is the character you created?
The primary idea was to show a balance between a human body and man-made artifacts. The editorial is about the movement of our body as a poetic metaphor. I attempted to create a strong character, depicting a powerful woman positioned in the middle of these two worlds, the natural one and the one created by the human being. There is a photo that portrays very well what I wanted to transmit, the one where Veronica seems to be floating between two rocks.
What was the best part for you during the shooting day, could you share it with us?
I really enjoyed working with the team! I always try to work with people who have a lot of love for the thing they do. A sense of humor and a good mood at the shooting spot are not the last things! I couldn’t be on a team which doesn’t make jokes! A hot mate and warm working environment helped to deal with that chilly day. My shooting team and its invaluable contribution aren't easy to find when you don’t really have a budget for a project. Thanks to Násti Karasevich, Eliana Ochoa, and Juan Carbajal, this project came true!
‘I always try to work with people who have a lot of love for the thing they do. A sense of humor and a good mood at the shooting spot are not the last things! I couldn’t be on a team which doesn’t make jokes’
What is the story of this editorial about? Who is the character you created?
The primary idea was to show a balance between a human body and man-made artifacts. The editorial is about the movement of our body as a poetic metaphor. I attempted to create a strong character, depicting a powerful woman positioned in the middle of these two worlds, the natural one and the one created by the human being. There is a photo that portrays very well what I wanted to transmit, the one where Veronica seems to be floating between two rocks.
What was the best part for you during the shooting day, could you share it with us?
I really enjoyed working with the team! I always try to work with people who have a lot of love for the thing they do. A sense of humor and a good mood at the shooting spot are not the last things! I couldn’t be on a team which doesn’t make jokes! A hot mate and warm working environment helped to deal with that chilly day. My shooting team and its invaluable contribution aren't easy to find when you don’t really have a budget for a project. Thanks to Násti Karasevich, Eliana Ochoa, and Juan Carbajal, this project came true!
