Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.
Kito Muñoz | Image courtesy of Artlist
Kito Muñoz, Photographer
Hometown/country: Cádiz, Spain
Based: Paris, France
Representation: Artlist
How would you describe your work? What’s your trademark?
My work centers on obsessions, exploring roles and scenes that deeply resonate with me. It’s sexy and fun but always presented seriously and thoughtfully.
How did you first discover your passion for photography, and what specifically led you into the world of fashion photography?
I started taking pictures of my friends and family as a child, mostly at my mom’s house in Chiclana. It began as a way to escape my routine and create stories through photos. Before turning 18, I partnered with Filip Custic, working on “Filip & Kito,” a photography and styling project for a few years, which allowed me to enter the professional world.
Your images have a dream-like quality. Do you see photography as a way to capture reality, or do you use it more to create your own worlds? How do you approach that balance?
I primarily use photography to express my own worlds by conveying messages or telling stories that hold personal significance for me. I draw inspiration from elements, actions, and compositions I observe in real life, taking notes on everything that stirs something within me. I listen to those feelings, and I think that’s why my work often has a dream-like quality. I capture these moments as I imagine them, idealizing them in my mind. I’m not one for improvisation, so I put a lot of thought and planning into everything before the shoot.
What other jobs have you had?
I’ve always been a photographer.
Much of your work evokes a sense of intimacy and vulnerability — what draws you to those themes, and how do you create that connection with your subjects?
My work often involves themes of empowerment, curiosity, or stepping into unfamiliar roles, which naturally puts the subjects in vulnerable, intimate situations. I’m very aware of this, so clear communication before the shoot is key.
What have you watched/heard/read lately that has inspired you?
Diving into old books, films, and documentary photography projects keeps me connected to my inspiration. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with surrealism, newspapers, and movies from the 1960s/50s. Conversations with friends also play a big role; I always share my ideas with them, and those discussions help me refine and finalize the direction of my projects.
Sleepers (Les Dormeurs)
Orpheus (1950) – Walking through the mirror
La Mesías
MEP Library
Reestablishing Connection
What do you love about what you do?
What I love most about what I do is that nothing else comes as naturally to me as photography and working on my projects. I feel a deep connection to that part of myself, and I try to nurture it and give it the attention it deserves.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced professionally?
I really enjoy projects that push me out of my comfort zone, as they usually motivate me. The real challenge for me is achieving goals like getting published in magazines I admire, connecting with new clients, and continuing to grow in the industry. I feel confident in my work, but there’s always a bit of uncertainty that keeps it interesting.
What’s one thing outside of your work that you would like people to know about you?
I’m a huge fan of cinema, especially Spain’s “Cine Quinqui” from the 70s. I’d love to explore more video work and even do the cinematography for a film one day. It’s something that really fascinates me. Here’s my latest video in case you’d like to take a look.
Who do you think is one to watch?
Candela Capitán
Lara Blanco
Rose Mihman
Daniel del Valle
Selected Work
Image courtesy of Artlist
Puma x Palomo Campaign
Working with [Alejandro Gómez] Palomo and his team is always a pleasure; we are family. When brainstorming ideas, we know it’s the one if something makes us laugh. For this campaign, we took inspiration from sports ads of the ’70s and ’80s, but imagined how they might look from an outsider’s view. We wanted to capture the beauty that happens when the model is waiting, relaxed, and showing their most natural side.
Anyier Anei, Arthur Hargous, & Noah Hanes | Image courtesy of Artlist
Room Thirteen for Dust Magazine
I loved the team on this project! I was especially impressed with Ally Macrae, who brings each character to life, working through every detail to make them feel complete and authentic. Olivier Schawalder’s wigs were mesmerizing. I suggested to Olivier that I wanted them to feel like uniforms; in my mind, these characters belonged to a theater troupe, but I wanted to convey a strict, almost military-like discipline in their appearance. Olivier brought in wigs in various shades of natural hair tones, which completely unified the look. We paired the photos with this video, my first collaboration with Raül Refree, which was truly a dream come true.
Jum Kuochnin & Mamuor Majeng | Image courtesy of Artlist
Mamuor Majeng
I created this editorial with the incredible model Mamuor Majeng, drawing inspiration entirely from him. We were captivated by his blend of femininity and masculinity, his movement, everything. I collaborated on this project with Leopold Duchemin, one of my favorite creative talents right now. I absolutely love how she styles men; it drives me crazy!
Mohammed Banze, Rubuen Bilan-Carroll, Silas Lutz Fabian, & Zhao Lei | Image courtesy of Artlist
Adorar a Neo
For this project, I wanted to dive into black and white. I immersed myself in surrealist videos and photographs showcasing the elegance of the ’50s and ’60s, and we created various scenarios that resulted in a lengthy editorial and a video. We had to do everything in one day, which was a bit chaotic, but it turned out just as I envisioned. Now, I’ve opened up a new perspective in my mind, and I see many photos better in black and white.
Craig Shimirimana, Frans Croon, Habib Masovic, Lars Post, & Silas Lutz Fabian | Image courtesy of Artlist
Men About Town
This is the latest editorial I did with Ally Macrae. We shot it in a completely deserted village near Paris. I was inspired by an old newspaper I found at my mother’s house this summer, which featured an incredible person in sunglasses, a scarf, and heels walking down the street, whose gender was ambiguous to me. I found them beautiful, and we aimed to capture that essence in our models. I focused on the feelings associated with changing clothes roles, exploring the experience of a guy wearing feminine clothing in a small town, which can be both empowering and isolating.
