CINEMATOGRAPHER CAYETANO GONZALEZ
Cayetano
Gonzalez
Fine Arts & a Masters at ESCAC · co-founder of Barrio Studios · Calvin Klein, BMW, Vogue
His visual language is built on light, atmosphere and human presence. A cinematic approach to intimate, emotionally grounded storytelling.
Cayetano Gonzalez is a Barcelona-based director working across fashion and lifestyle. His work is defined by a strong focus on light, atmosphere and human presence, combining a cinematic approach with intimate, emotionally grounded storytelling. With a background in Fine Arts and cinematography, he has developed a distinctive visual language rooted in nuance, texture and realism.
He has directed work for brands such as Calvin Klein, BMW, H&M and Tezenis, as well as editorial for Vogue and C41. Alongside his commercial work, he develops narrative film recognized in international festivals, and occasionally collaborates as a cinematographer. He is co-founder of Barrio Studios, a Barcelona production company focused on thoughtful, human-driven storytelling.
“My cinematography style has a natural feel. I work on visuals that refer to artists I have always admired.”
From tape to a language of his own.
“In 2006 I studied Film in Valencia, and back then everything we did was recorded on tapes, so the cinematic quality I was searching for was unattainable. I slowly began learning how to use different cameras, and I knew I had found my calling. Before even realizing it I was already working as a photographer, but I still felt I needed to expand my knowledge of art to widen my perspective.”
“I studied Fine Arts, and later moved to Barcelona to study a Masters in Cinematography at ESCAC. Since then I have been based in Barcelona, and my work is focused mainly on directing and cinematography.”
Inspiration is all around us.
“Nature, film, paintings, photography, traveling. Inspiration is all around us. It is your mind that has to be open and curious enough to see it. I am also inspired by beauty, and for me, beauty has to be undiscovered, different, and special.”
“Beauty has to be undiscovered, different, and special.”
It begins with people, not characters.
“My work is challenging and continuously evolving. Everything I do is for a reason. Everything is thought out and precise. But within that control there is always room for freedom, for the characters to express themselves. There is something very personal from every model or actor I have worked with, and I intend to keep it this way.”
“Most of the time my creative process begins with people, and not characters. It is like merging my dream with someone else’s dream, and creating a story from there. It is beautiful.”
Turning toward the personal work.
“I centered the past years on working for clients as a director and cinematographer, only doing my personal work as a photographer. Now I am concentrating on my personal work as a director and DP, developing projects that fulfill me, or that will take me where I want to go. It is all about freedom and creativity. That does not mean I will stop taking photographs. I will just focus on other aspects.”
For everyone still finding their way.
“I would like to support all the photographers and cinematographers out there who are trying to find their way in this world. Let us value effort and hard work, and not so much results and success. Success has to do with so many little things that are out of our reach, and not always in one’s control. Value and believe in your self worth, in hard work, freedom and personality, and do not care so much about what other people think.”
“Value effort and hard work, and not so much results and success.”
Antakly Projects, originally Ninu Nina, has been in conversation with the most inspiring voices in art, photography, design and culture since 2003. Interview by Leila Antakly. Cayetano Gonzalez shapes light until it feels like memory.
All works © Cayetano Gonzalez. Thank you to Cayetano for the conversation.
cayetanogonzalez.com → Barrio Studios → Adel, the trailer →
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Cut. Print. ✦
