Self-taught photographer Carlota Guerrero releases her first ever book of images

A collection of her visual obsessions and ever evolving style, Carlota Guerrero releases her first ever book of photography: Tengo un Dragón Dentro del Corazón - The Photographs of Carlota Guerrero

Being labelled as the story teller of her generation, Guerrero is a tastemaker in defining the aesthetic of the 21st century. Exploring the widely varied and ever changing female form through the eye of celebration, sensuality and with a sense of togetherness through individuality, Guerrero’s work showcases body confidence, definitive of the the Me Too, Love Your Flaws era.

While it is refreshing and creative, it is some what unsurprising that Carlota Guerrero should produce such a beautiful yet conversational book of photographs. Taking the industry by storm in 2016 after taking that iconic portrait of Solange Knowles for her album ‘A Seat at the Table’, the Barcelona based photographer went on to work with a range of iconic and diverse women and brands. Through the medium of photography and performance art, Guerrero has worked with the likes of Rupi Kaur and Naomi Shimada, Givenchy, Nike and Dior. The common theme running through her previous work, such as her ‘The Force is Female’ campaign with Nike, the captivating way she captured the Dior SS19 collection and her pure and beautiful work with Rupi Kaur is intimacy and the ethereal yet influential sense of femininity.

This book showcases 260 carefully selected photographs created throughout her ten year plus career, paying close focus in particular to her early, self brand defining works. This deep-dive into the world of Carlota Guerrero’s self taught photography career so far, highlights the timelessness of her images. Whether it’s an image from her very early work or a recently captured piece, the photograph speaks in pure emotion to the viewer while capturing an ever evolving moment of time, but staying undoubtedly relevant to current conversations.

The selection of photographs weave between her preferred mediums of enchanting photography, film making or performance art. Something that stands out throughout this book is Guerrero’s sense of the body being one with colour and natural moments. Nothing diverts from the core of the image, the female form and the emotion entwined within it. The natural approach to her compositions is also apparent on each page. The images don’t feel forced or altered; the woman depicted is, as she is, or how Guerrero’s eye sees her.

Entwining throughout the photographs are texts by some of her long-time collaborative partners such as Rosalía, Rupi Kaur, Paloma Lanna, Teticia Sala and Alejandra Smits. When discussing her first look upon Carlota Guerrero’s work, Rupi Kaur commented that, “in an industry dominated by men shooting women’s bodies, Carlota’s vision is refreshing… In a world where the feminine is violated, the femininity that Carlota captures is honest and empowering.” The overarching feelings thrown upon the viewer when studying Guerrero’s photographs were too, felt by Rupi Kaur, “its softness moved me. Its playfulness pulled me in.”

While images affect and play to each viewer’s needs, emotions or perceptions uniquely, these works have an undeniable sense of being and belonging while staying powerfully dominating and clear to their message. The title of the book translates to ‘I Have A Dragon Inside My Heart’, referring to the photographers great persistence and perseverance.

Priced at £39.99 ‘Tengo un Dragón Dentro del Corazón’ is available to buy from a variety of book stores here.