Vanessa Thuille is a German-Brazilian photographer based in Barcelona, with a deep connection to analog photography, a passion she inherited from her father, who still develops his own photographs and films. Her work explores urban landscapes, human experiences, and the shifting light of the city, capturing the subtle beauty and strength in everyday scenes.
Q: So Vanessa, could we dive right into it? I'm curious to know: what sources of inspiration—whether artistic or personal—most influence the way you view and capture your images?
Hmm, I'd start with the ordinary beauty in daily life. How sunlight or darkness can transform everyday scenes into something extraordinarily beautiful. Those little moments always stay in my head and inspire me to capture them or create a certain image. Then on the other hand—and this is how I actually started with photography—I’m deeply inspired by people and their unique personalities. I would say, I often feel a special connection and trust when I portray them. That feeling, when they open up and fully trust me to capture their essence, is incredibly special and a major source of inspiration for me.
Q: And how do you stay creatively inspired and motivated during periods of creative block or ennui?
Photography has always been my way of expressing myself artistically. In times of creative block or insecurity, which often appear during periods of intense commercial or commissioned work, I try to accept the block and give it time. I focus on other things, understanding that there will be phases where I’m more focused on “work” and less on my own artistic expression. At some point—usually sooner rather than later—I start missing just wandering around with my camera and capturing whatever inspires me, which is when usually creativity and inspiration come back.
Q: One could say that the cityscape is an ever-changing yet filled with elements of permanence. How do you capture this tension between the fleeting and the enduring?
Absolutely, and this is exactly what I love most about city life. This sense of permanence gives me a feeling of security and belonging, while the ever-changing cityscape always offers new possibilities. And I also see myself as a dynamic and perhaps even restless person who loves change and enjoys diving into the unknown. Maybe that’s why I like to shoot my personal projects with natural sunlight. The situation is constantly changing; you don’t have complete control and have to keep adjusting—just like in life (haha). I love capturing the city by letting the constantly shifting light guide me, how something can look one way in one moment and completely different in the next.
Q: In the midst of the city's vasteness, how do you find and portray those intimate, personal moments that still manage to resonate on a universal level?
Well even though the city is dynamic and fast-paced, there are always corners and moments of calm and intimacy if you seek them out. Just as I love being active, I also need moments of retreat and quiet, where I can let myself drift. I really need this balance, and those moments of deep disconnection, are often my most creative and artistically valuable times.
Q: And finally, are there any upcoming projects or themes you’re excited to explore in your work or personal life?
Well so far, I’ve used photography as my primary tool of artistic and personal expression. However recently, I’ve started making silver jewellery, and I’ve discovered a completely new way to express myself that I just love. it’s kind of interesting to see how my approach to jewellery is very similar to my approach to photography. I’m inspired and guided by people, forms, and light. The three-dimensionality and the way metal adapts to human shapes and reacts in different lighting situations are fascinating to me.
