ART DIRECTION
CREATIVE DIRECTION
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

︎︎︎Commisioned for Food & Wine Magazine. Conde Nast.

2019︎︎︎

Studio/Personal Project

The idea (︎︎︎) Botanical Wisdom is rooted in ancestral knowledge, drawing inspiration from the ritual of blending water and plants long used for healing purposes. In Spanish, we call it "making an Agüita," and these Aguitas are typically prepared by mothers and grandmothers to mend even a broken heart.

Rather than adopting a conventional lifestyle format, we chose to transcend the concepts of natural medicine and create captivating visual images. The visual narrative unabashedly embraces the past as a means to evoke nostalgia in a timeless setting. Lighting evokes a sense of discovery, as if opening a door to a garden where the sunlight filters through the trees, casting intricate shadows that adorn the recipes on a minimal yet complex canvas.

(1)
General Disconfort Blend (︎︎︎)
Ginger, Orange & Peppermint

 _by Doña Martha Ortiz

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Water sustains and nourishes the plants with the exotic and fresh fruits that complement their inherent power. Just as infused water enables the recipes to thrive and propagate, it also nurtures the plants' healing properties. Each photograph in this series is inspired by a blend of plants and herbs, with the intention that every image here has the potential to heal.

(2)
Diuretic & Antioxidant Blend (︎︎︎)
Hibiscus, Starfruit & Mint

_Water infused with hibiscus

"Doña" is an honorific title used to show respect to a woman, typically an older woman or someone who is seen as a figure of authority and wisdom. The term "doña" carries a sense of admiration and recognition for a woman's experience, maturity, and social status. It is often used to show deference and politeness, particularly in formal or traditional settings

(3)
Slimming Blend (︎︎︎)
Pineapple & Celery

_by Doña Esmeralda Ariza, My mom.

In Latin America, there is a belief in the special powers of different waters, passed down through generations from our moms and grandmas. While there may not be a specific cookbook to reference, this social knowledge holds the wisdom of ancestral traditions and their healing properties. this photoseries pays homage to the owners that wisdom, our women, the real “doñas”.

(4)
Flu Blend (︎︎︎)
Aguapanela Raw Cane Sugar Water and elderflower

_by Grandma

(5)
Cramps Blend (︎︎︎)
Cinnamon and English Garden Marigold

_by Clara Dominguez

_by Clara Dominguez

Main Editorial Pages for Food & Wine Magazine
_ 2020

_The Making of