Yoking it up with SOFIA LOPEZ MANAN

The Feminine Lens: A Conversation with an Argentine Photographic Artist

For YOKE Magazine

In this soulful and thoughtful conversation, we explore the creative world of an Argentine photographic artist whose work bridges intimacy, curiosity, and cultural identity. From early influences in suburban Buenos Aires to the meditative depths of a silent retreat, her journey is marked by sensitivity, humor, and a profound dedication to capturing the unseen. As we celebrate a decade of YOKE, this reflection reminds us that art is not just about what we make—but how we move through the world while making it.

Do you have a guiding philosophy or mantra that shapes your creative practice as a photographic artist?I work from curiosity and thrive on it. Questions serve as the foundation of my creative process, guiding me in conceptualizing what I create and how—considering materiality, purpose, and form. The greatest challenge as an artist is resisting the pull of the ego, which can lead to self-imposed pressure and an inflated sense of importance. To counter this, I consistently remind myself that my work is driven by a purpose beyond myself.

In 2025, what does the concept of women’s empowerment mean to you, particularly as an artist from Argentina? How do these ideas influence your photographic narratives and your portrayal of beauty in different cultural contexts?Empowerment is the recognition of our intellectual, creative, and emotional abilities—without needing to prove anything to anyone. It means validating ourselves, and knowing that in many countries today, women have the freedom to choose. Argentina has a powerful feminist movement, which inspires confidence and serves as a driving force encouraging women to step forward and be seen.

Can you tell us about your journey into photography? What were the key experiences that led you to choose this medium, and how have they shaped your vision of beauty and creativity?I stumbled into photography by chance. I didn’t choose it for what I could create, but for what I could capture. While studying fine arts, I used my dad’s camera to document performance art pieces I was involved in. I've always been fascinated by action—by making something tangible. Photography became a way to document that. I still work this way today, with staging and theatricality remaining central to my practice.

Could you share a little about your upbringing—where you’re from, your cultural background, and how creativity and the perception of beauty played a role in your life growing up?I was born on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in a lively home with four siblings, two dogs, and hardworking parents. As a child, I was a challenge—overly sensitive in a time when that was seen as a problem. “She’s hypersensitive and hyperactive,” the psychologist would say. Poor my parents.

In my final school years, I discovered a book by Carlos Castaneda on consciousness expansion, and something in me awoke. Already considered complex, I became even more of a mystery to my parents when I dove into spirituality—something they didn’t understand. That journey planted a seed. I first turned to art to express what I couldn’t articulate in words. Back then, it came through pain. Now, it flows from imagination, curiosity, and the questions that come from simply being in the world.

How do you immerse yourself in the environments you photograph? Do you approach each project with a preconceived theme, or do you allow the process to unfold organically?I love studying and understanding. I’m a scientist without a degree and a naturalist by instinct. Often, the thrill of the question outweighs the image itself. I frequently construct images in my mind, sketch them, and later bring them to life.

Once, during a silent 10-day meditation retreat—where reading and writing were forbidden—I experienced a flood of creative visions. I became obsessed with remembering them. I asked the meditation teacher if I could draw to release them, but she said no. One afternoon, I found a pen in the laundry room. I quietly took it to the bathroom and began sketching on toilet paper. Each day, more strips of paper appeared, hidden in my backpack. Those drawings later became part of a publication I created for YOKE.

Reflecting on the past decade, what have been your proudest achievements—personally or professionally?My greatest achievement has been personal growth. Looking back over the past ten years, I’m proud of how much I’ve evolved. I’m confident in who I am and what I believe. That confidence has helped me build deeper relationships, explore new opportunities, and create from a place of authenticity and self-worth.

How do you see the role of women evolving in the visual arts, especially in photography? What unique perspectives do you believe women bring, and how do you hope to contribute to this narrative?Women often express their emotions and experiences more openly. We connect deeply—with each other, with our communities. This sensitivity is one of our strengths.

Photographs created by women often carry emotional intimacy and raw honesty. They touch something within us, revealing our inner worlds. It’s the same connection we feel with a close friend or family member—a powerful, natural bond. That’s what I try to capture and contribute to in my work.

In the context of Argentina’s social and cultural history, how does your work engage with national identity? How do you think it reshapes conversations around gender, culture, beauty, and creativity?I’m proud of my Argentine heritage. My work embodies the blend of humor and emotion that defines our culture. We live in a country full of obstacles, which makes us highly adaptable. We even have a saying: “Lo atamos con alambre” (“We tie it up with wire”)—meaning we use whatever’s at hand to get by. Creativity is a necessity here.

These limitations forge deep friendships and resilient families. We’re emotionally expressive and proud of having the highest number of psychologists per capita. This mix of hyper-adaptation, emotional depth, nostalgia, and humor is my cultural inheritance—and it’s deeply embedded in everything I create.

Sofía López Mañan is an Argentine photographer with a degree in filmmaking based in Buenos Aires.

She has more than 10 years of experience documenting themes related to human relationship with biodiversity. She currently studies naturalism and mycology to acquire further knowledge in biology and conservation laws. Sofía has worked with NGOs such as Rewilding, Santuarios do Brasil, Perpetual Spirit and for the past five year she has been an active collaborator Andean Condor Project (PCCA). She has also worked with the Argentine Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development in illegal animal traffic investigation. As a Visual Storytelling National Geographic Explorer, she has recently finished the project The Bird King on condor conservation and its relationship with Andean cosmogony.

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