“If I want to investigate something or get to know a person better, I do it through photography. As long as I receive an emotional response, I will continue taking photos”

Leila Mendez

She is a self-taught photographer.
She has been working in the field of photography for 20 years, within the editorial and advertising fields. 
Simultaneously she has been developing self-initiated art projects on the side.
The camera serves as a passport for travelling to different situations and subjects. She works following her wishes and curiosity. 
"If i like to investigate something, or get to know a person better, I do it through photography. As long as I get an emotional response, I will keep shooting photos." - She says.
In publishing she has worked for clients such as: The Observer (The Guardian), El Dorado Experience, Vogue Spain,  Architectural Digest (AD), Les Inrocks and very closely with El País Semanal (El País).
Advertising campaigns for: Uniqlo, Fly Emirates, Diesel, Adidas, Vodafone, Virgin, Ikea, Desigual, Lotto, Carolina Herrera, etc.
Leila has been the FNAC New Talent Photo 2002: Travelling solo exhibition in Fnac centers in Spain, France and Portugal (2003-2005).

She has participated in several exhibitions: 

  • Mediateca Centre Cultural de la Fundació La Caixa.

  • Exposición Silenci. Sala Iguapop 2005.

  • Llámalo foto. Fnac 2006-2007.

  • Crossing. 080 FashionWeek Barcelona.

  • Lo Que Llevo Dentro Galería Fernando Pradilla. Madrid. 2011.

  • Solo exhibition at the International art photography festival Les Rencontres d'Arles. Arles, France. 2008.
    Curator of the exhibition: Luis Venegas.
    Guest curator of the festival: Christian Lacroix.

  • Exhibition for the Waldorf-Steiner School at Principal Art Gallery. Barcelona 2013.

  • A Cop d´Ull. Palau de la Virreina. Barcelona. 2013.

  • Diccionario de fotógrafos españoles. La Fábrica ediciones. Madrid, 2014.

  • Utopía Photo Market. Barcelona. 10, 11 y 12 June, 2016.

  • As a teacher at Art Direction Postgraduate, Elisava. 2017.

  • As a teacher (photography degree) at Idep, 2018/2019.

  • As a contributor at La Fundació Miró : https://www.fmirobcn.org/blog/en/

  • Currently working as a visual curator for an international advertising project.

  • Currently working as a Director of the Fashion Photography Postgraduate at Idep Photo, Barcelona.