In Amor al Arte, Hippo transforms gallery walls into a sanctuary of light, shadow, and emotion. His signature black-and-white portraits—like the ethereal study above—invite viewers into intimate, sculptural moments where fabric and flesh merge in graceful tension. On view at Amora Studio. Álvaro Obregón 49, Roma Norte, Ciudad de México.

Shot with cinematic precision, each frame in this Mexico City exhibition explores the poetry of gesture and the quiet power of presence, celebrating the body as both canvas and collaborator in an ongoing dialogue between photographer and muse.

Beyond commissioned assignments, personal work is the lifeblood of Hippo’s creative practice—a laboratory where intuition, curiosity, and unbridled experimentation converge. These self-initiated projects allow him to:

Nurture a Distinctive Vision: Free from client briefs, he can explore unconventional lighting setups, rare film stocks, or abstract concepts that might never fit a commercial shoot. This playtime sharpens his visual signature, so when he returns to editorial or runway work, his images bear a uniquely confident stamp.

Push Technical Boundaries: Whether he’s mastering an elusive darkroom technique or experimenting with in-camera double exposures, personal series become a proving ground for new skills. Lessons learned here often translate into richer, more innovative approaches on paid projects.

Tell Unfiltered Stories: Personal work gives voice to ideas and narratives that resonate deeply with him—intimate studies of vulnerability, explorations of pattern and movement, or poetic abstractions of everyday life. In sharing these bodies of work, he invites audiences into his world, forging a deeper emotional connection than a typical commissioned gallery might allow.

Fuel Long-Term Growth: Across exhibitions like Amor al Arte, these independent explorations bolster his artistic résumé, open doors to gallery collaborations, and attract collaborators who value authenticity and vision. Ultimately, it’s this ongoing dialogue between self-directed passion projects and client work that keeps his portfolio vibrant, his practice evolving, and his creative spark alive.