Through the Lens of Stillness: Diego Navarro’s Aurora
"Aurora, Untitled01" by DSN Photo. Photography. Location: Swampscott, Massachusetts Featured artist of the “Everything Blue” Online Exhibition
Photo Credit: © christina_van_dyke
At CEV Art Gallery, we celebrate artists who offer more than just visuals, they offer experiences. This season, we are honored to feature Diego Navarro, the visionary and photographer behind DSN Photo, whose photography invites viewers into a world of stillness, serenity, and deep reflection. In his featured work Aurora, Diego captures the quiet beauty of a new day, the sacred moments when light breaks through darkness and nature whispers its timeless rhythm. In this interview, Diego shares how photography becomes a vessel for peace, presence, and renewal in a fast-moving world.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey as an artist—how did it all begin for you?
It began in college, in Argentina. I was studying filmmaking at the most prestigious school in Buenos Aires. In my first year, we had photography as a subject, and I found myself dedicating most of my time to those assignments. One day, my professor asked me to stay after class. He said he noticed—my passion and focus—and that moment made me question if I was in the right field. Shortly after, I left filmmaking and shifted fully into photography. I enrolled in a private institution where I met incredibly inspiring photographers. Two years later, I had my own studio and was fully immersed in fashion photography. To this day, fashion photographers continue to inspire me—their versatility and willingness to break traditional rules taught me how powerful creative freedom can be.
What themes or stories do you explore most in your work, and what inspires those choices?
In 2020, during a very difficult year, I felt the need to leave home and escape. I turned to the mountains and began hiking—something I had never done before. The chaos of the world inspired me to seek its opposite: stillness, peace, and connection. Nature became my sanctuary and my muse. For the first time, I slowed down and truly observed. I found beauty in simplicity and learned to admire and respect the natural world. That desire to reconnect—with nature and with myself—became both a necessity and a source of inspiration.
What is your creative process like—from idea to finished piece?
It starts with immersion. I take time to slow down, absorb the location, and really connect with the space. Once I feel in tune with it, I begin noticing the details that move me—the light, the quiet, the simplicity. I respond to those feelings with my camera, capturing moments that reflect emotion and beauty in their most natural form.
How has your perspective as a photographer evolved over time, and how is that reflected in your recent work?
I was initially drawn to the energy of street photography and the artistry of fashion shoots—spontaneous city scenes and carefully crafted campaigns. Over time, that contrast created a craving for something else: simplicity, calm, and reflection. My recent work is an answer to that craving. I’ve let go of complexity in favor of quiet clarity. I believe less is more, and I create from that place now.
What role does environment or location play in your creative process as a photographer?
Location is everything. Someone told me once, “Find an interesting background, and the image will come to you.” That stuck with me. The environment sets the tone. It shapes the emotion of the work and often becomes the subject itself.
What’s next for you creatively—are there any upcoming projects, shows, or goals you're excited about?
I’m returning to portraits, but this time through the lens of objects—photographing people in unconventional ways. I took a long break from portraiture, but it’s calling me back. Before I begin that new chapter, though, I feel the need to release my mountain work. To share it is to let it go—and only then will I feel ready to start what’s next.
Anything else you want our audience to know about you?
From the series Aurora: Aurora signifies dawn — the quiet start of a new day, a chance for growth and reflection. Sunrise, with its promise of renewal, brings light after darkness, offering hope and a fresh perspective. This work reflects the idea that true renewal comes when we pause, observe, and allow ourselves to be present. Nature has its rhythm, and we are part of a cycle that’s been unfolding long before us. In this stillness, we are reminded that we are passengers on a journey, witnessing a process far greater than ourselves, a reminder of the peace found in simplicity.
Diego Navarro’s work reminds us, that beauty often lies in the quiet, overlooked corners of life, the rising sun, the gentle landscape, the still pause before motion. His lens doesn’t just document a scene; it tells a story of presence and purpose. At CEV Art Gallery, we are proud to showcase Aurora and the intention behind it, and we thank Diego for guiding us to see with not just our eyes, but our inner stillness. We invite you to experience his work, reflect deeply, and rediscover the peace that lives in simplicity.
Follow Diego Navarro (DSN Photo) at:
Website: http://www.dsnphoto.com
Email: dsnphotography@gmail.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dee.s.n
