From Paz Vega and El Yiyo to Ángela Molina and Javier Bardem: radiography of Spanish beauty

The fascination of Nico Bustos (Barcelona, ​​48 years old) for beauty began when he was still a child and fantasized about legendary women such as Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe and Lola Flores.

On his 16th birthday, his father gave him his first black-and-white film developer kit, something that encouraged him to experiment with light and different developing techniques.

"He was a simple hobbyist and took photos of my friends and acquaintances," he recalls.

In the early 1990s, he began working professionally as a photographer.

"Since he was a beginner and didn't have many assignments, he took photos of people on the street, people who passed in front of me and who for some reason caught my attention."

Admirer of greats of photography such as Richard Avedon and Peter Lindbergh, he did not imagine that he would end up becoming one of the best portraitists in Spain,

recognized for constructing elegant images full of sensual symmetry, a combination of style, technique and perfection.

He prefers to speak of his portraits as an "intimate confrontation" with the characters who pose for his camera.

Throughout these three decades, Bustos has regularly collaborated with

and with the national and international editions of fashion magazines such as

and

, immortalizing celebrities of such diverse planetary projection as Pedro Almodóvar, Catherine Deneuve, Penélope Cruz , Javier Bardem, Antonio Banderas, Joan Collins, Zendaya, Amanda Seyfried and Úrsula Corberó, work that she has combined with advertising campaigns for luxury brands such as Emporio Armani and Lancôme.

"The concept of beauty has changed a lot in these years," he acknowledges.

“Beauty is becoming more normal and discreet.

We live in an age of sensible and measured beauty.

Before, stunning women, true goddesses, were the norm in fashion and publishing.

Now everything is more natural and close, ”she says.

But what attracts him to someone?

“It can be from something as superficial as physical appearance, image, to personality.

I find many people attractive because of the story behind them.

In any case, I always try to sublimate whoever stands in front of my camera”.

Bustos finds it difficult to define the canon of the Spanish "beautiful", because he says that there are many types.

But he finds a certain unity in diversity.

“The woman with dark hair and big eyes continues to define us and captivate the world.

Women like Penélope [Cruz] or Ángela [Molina], who have triumphed for much more than their appearance, who transcend because of their talent.

I have wonderful memories of them, of our conversations and experiences.”

Not only has he earned the trust and respect of many of the protagonists of his portraits, but also his friendship.

Today, like when he started, he continues to photograph friends and acquaintances.

White Padilla.

The model (Madrid, 27 years old) was discovered in the capital's subway and almost overnight she became the queen of the catwalks and one of the most international Spanish faces.

"She is a beautiful woman," says Nico Bustos, who took this image in 2016.Nico Bustos

Rossi de Palma.

Defining the beauty of the actress (Palma de Mallorca, 57 years old) as Picassoian or, as Pedro Almodóvar said, cubist has become a cliché.

She often jokes that her nose started to become independent from her face at school.

"She is an unrepeatable woman," says Bustos, who took this photograph in 2016.Nico Bustos

Javier Bardem.

He was born into the royalty of Spanish cinema, but the actor (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 53 years old) was crowned in Hollywood when he won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2007 for his role in 'No Country for Old Men'. '.

"It freaks me out as an actor, but even more so as a person," acknowledges Bustos, who took this image in 2016.Nico Bustos

Paz Vega.

The actress (Seville, 46 years old) is part of a selection of portraits prepared by fashion photographer Nico Bustos to explain the canon of Spanish beauty.

"The woman with dark hair and big eyes continues to define us and captivate the world," says Bustos.Nico Bustos

Andres Velencoso.

He is one of the most international Spanish models, but for a decade he has also triumphed as an actor.

“He has a very particular beauty, very different from the rest of the models.

Manly, handsome, but very close”, says Bustos about Velencoso (Tossa de Mar, 44 years old).

This photo was made in 2020.Nico Bustos

Bimba Bose.

Daughter and granddaughter of actresses, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of bullfighters, niece of a pop star, Bimba managed to make a name for herself as a model, designer, DJ, singer and actress.

Her death at the age of 41, in 2017, shocked many Spaniards.

She “she was unique.

She is very special to me,” says Bustos, who took this image in 2012. Nico Bustos

Penelope Cruz.

When it seemed that she had already achieved everything as an actress, Cruz (Madrid, 48 years old) now also triumphs as a film producer.

“She is very smart and special.

I have been working with her for many years and have a wonderful relationship.

I never get tired of photographing her”, explains Bustos.

This image was made in 2013.Nico Bustos

The Yyo.

They call him “the bailaor of the future”, although he is already the present.

Miguel Fernández Ribas (Badalona, ​​26 years old), 'El Yiyo', is young, but he has been on the tablaos for two decades.

“I love flamenco art and photographing dancers.

It is one of the things I like the most.

I admire Yiyo a lot”, acknowledges the photographer, who photographed him in 2016.Nico Bustos

Angela Molina.

Few artists have the career of the actress (Madrid, 66 years old), who has worked with greats like Luis Buñuel, Pedro Almodóvar or Ridley Scott.

“She is one of my favorite women.

I like her all my life.

When I met her, it was a dream come true”, says the photographer, who took this image in 2011.Nico Bustos

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