For the last day of recording my new single “Drive Thru,” I wanted to document something beyond the usual making-of. I was looking to capture the raw, natural essence of the process—those fleeting moments that later become blurry memories. That’s why I invited photographer Diego Morales, asking him to immerse himself in the environment and translate the vibe into spontaneous images.
The goal was clear: to create visuals that would announce the release date of the single, without yet revealing the official cover. A kind of artistic, intimate, and experimental teaser.
Photography and atmosphere
Diego moved freely through the space, searching for angles that conveyed the energy of the set. His photos were candid, almost invisible, capturing laughter, focus, and pauses between takes. From this session, five photographs were selected and post-produced by him, ensuring each image preserved the authenticity of the moment.
From physical to digital
With the photos ready, I decided to take them into a more tactile dimension. I printed them using an average printer, aiming for that imperfect texture that adds an organic character. Then, with a craft knife, I manually cut out fragments to build an analog collage, layering shapes and details like a personal puzzle.
After cutting each photograph manually, I scanned the pieces one by one using my iPhone, preserving every texture, edge, and imperfection. This step allowed the analog collage to retain its physical personality while becoming part of the digital composition that would follow.
Narrative layers
The images carried their own story, but I wanted to add a voice that guided the narrative. On transparent paper, I created handmade doodles and texts—small graphic interventions that worked as notes, accents, and bursts of personality. These were also scanned and, in Photoshop, layered onto the collage.
The final outcome combined the tangible with the digital: candid photography, raw textures, handmade cuts, and imperfect strokes that strengthened the project’s storytelling.
Digital assembly
Spending so much time on what could have been “just another announcement post” was an intentional decision. I was inspired by Viktor Hammarberg’s approach—treating every piece as central to a project’s narrative, no matter how small it might seem. That philosophy encouraged me to transform the “Drive Thru” announcement into a complete creative exercise, blending music, art, and visual experimentation.
Parallel video
At the same time, Diego Morales was also editing a short video directly on his iPhone, using clips from the day. This real-time editing added freshness and immediacy, turning the project into a dual experience: carefully crafted photos alongside a video charged with the energy of the moment.
Art Direction - Diego Apen Díaz
Photo, Video and post production - Diego Morales.
Hive & Peel. 2025