Bogotá-based photographer Andres Ríos Fierro has released a deeply personal collection of photographs exploring themes of love, connection, and intimacy in his new photobook "Amor Eterno," published by Pomegranate Press. The 44-page collection showcases the Colombian artist's emotionally raw approach to documenting human relationships, featuring intimate portraits of family members, friends, lovers, and even beloved pets.
Unlike many photographers who capture images destined to be forgotten in digital camera rolls, Ríos Fierro takes a deliberately personal approach to his craft. "I usually photograph people I'm really close to, so it's easy for me to show myself that way around them," the photographer explains. His motivation stems from a desire to create lasting memories he can cherish in old age, transforming everyday moments into precious keepsakes.
The emotional authenticity of Ríos Fierro's work comes from his willingness to be vulnerable behind the camera. This raw approach creates a profound connection between photographer and subject that translates powerfully in his images. "For example, there's a photo of my mom crying – when I took that shot, I was crying too," he reveals. "Usually, if someone's crying in front of the lens, it's because I'm crying behind it as well."
"Amor Eterno" presents a series of intimate vignettes that celebrate human connection in its various forms. The collection frequently features dual subjects – whether romantic partners, close friends, family members, or adorable kittens – highlighting the bonds that tie people and creatures together. Each photograph carries a sense of fragility that mirrors the photographer's own emotional state during capture.
The book also explores the profound impact of loss and separation through single-subject compositions that tell heartbreaking stories. Images include an elderly woman sitting alone in a shower obscured by steam, a woman lying in a bedroom bare except for moving boxes, and someone mournfully touching a coffin against a backdrop of blooming nature. These photographs powerfully illustrate both the importance of human connection and the emptiness that can overwhelm us in its absence.
Ríos Fierro's artistic vision extends beyond human relationships to encompass connections with animals and the natural world. The book's cover features what appears to be a fierce-looking dog, though the photographer notes with affection that it's actually his adorable pet captured at an unfortunate moment. This playful detail demonstrates his ability to find beauty and meaning in unexpected moments.
The photographer credits photobooks as his primary creative influence, explaining how they help him understand his artistic preferences and goals. "My biggest creative influence has always been photobooks," Ríos Fierro states. "It's a huge way for me to learn what I actually like in a photo and what I want to see in my own work." This deep appreciation for the medium is evident in the thoughtful curation and sequencing of "Amor Eterno."
The title "Amor Eterno," meaning eternal love, perfectly captures the essence of photography as an art form that freezes moments in time for posterity. Every kiss, embrace, ray of light, and even drop of blood trickling down a hand is preserved with its full emotional weight intact. The collection serves as a testament to photography's unique power to make fleeting moments last forever.
"Amor Eterno" represents more than just a collection of beautiful photographs – it's a meditation on what makes life meaningful. Through his lens, Ríos Fierro demonstrates that love, in all its forms, creates the connections that give our lives purpose and beauty. The photobook is now available through Pomegranate Press, offering viewers an opportunity to experience these intimate moments of human connection and reflect on the eternal nature of love itself.
