I’m Rita Llavina, a photographer based between Barcelona and Rotterdam. Through my lens, I portray how humans connect, relate and react to each other. I create portraits and document live performances in film and theater, capturing both the essence of the individual and the art of storytelling. With a background in theater (Institut del Teatre and Aules, Barcelona) and photography (Willem de Kooning Academy), I’m interested in understanding how we behave when we’re being exposed. That’s why I try to approach photography as a process of making my subject feel comfortable when being watched, working intuitively with music and movement, and letting all kinds of emotions emerge.
I am drawn to documenting the unnoticed moments of everyday life, the ones no one is meant to see but that are fascinating to observe, as an invisible and observing viewer. This is why I am passionate about behind-the-scenes photography and theater documentation. I am fascinated by the interplay of light and shadow, as well as the role of color in shaping intimate atmospheres.
As a photographer, I have been working in the field of theater and film since 2021. Different actors, singers, musicians and dancers have been in front of my lens. In parallel, I have been taking stage shots, working mostly for independent theater and dance companies, production companies and theater schools. I have been part of the team of some music videos and short films as well as doing event photography.
Regarding my personal work, my project El Pes del Cor was exhibited during the Festival Enfocats of Pati Llimona (2023) and was a finalist in the 2022 Portfolio Review, and my project Híbrid was a finalist in the 2024 Portfolio Review. I was also part of the outdoors exhibition for Women's Day “Singulars” at the Gelida city hall in 2023.
CV
2021 - ongoing. Potraits in the studio for artists.
2021 - ongoing. Theater processes, shows and performances.
Purificats, A blind date, Ficcions 4.0, PC3, Paco y Lucía…
2023 - ongoing. BTS film sets.
Flowers on concrete, Stuck anywhere but here, Soy catalana…
NOMINATIONS
2022 - Finalist portfolio Review Pati Llimona with El Pes del Cor.
2024 - Finalist portfolio Review Pati Llimona with Híbrid.
EXHIBITIONS
2022 - El pes del Cor. Enfocats Festival, Pati Llimona, Barcelona.
2022 - Singulars. Gelida.