The Seville April Fair attracts hundreds of thousands of people daily for eight consecutive days, as the city council’s data shows. This means that in the same space, a very similar number of cell phones, photo applications, beauty filters or styling, and to a much greater extent, live streams and posts on social media are also present. In this massive media event that the Seville festival has become, a small oasis of the past, of what we were and of the essence that is lost, can be found. A man named Juan Conde, aged 62, operates a portable photo studio in the fair. He started this work at the age of 15 when his father forced him to do so to support a family of eight children. Starting as an assistant holding a pony while his father took pictures, Juan’s setup has now evolved into a portable photo studio complete with all the props needed to create an Andalusian patio.
Juan has been traveling to the most important fairs in Andalusian cities with his father and now alone for several years. He now only travels to the nearest fairs such as those in the Campo de Gibraltar area, La Línea, San Roque, Algeciras, Ceuta, and Sevilla. Due to the increase in fees and the cost of living in Seville during the fair, Juan worries that this edition may be his last. The mobile technology has affected his business in two different ways – a reduction in the number of people wanting printed photographs and an increase in the number of fair visitors and tourists taking selfies with his installation as the backdrop. Despite these challenges, Juan continues to operate his studio, hoping to cover his expenses and earn a living through photography.
As the day progresses, customers start arriving at his studio, interested in capturing memories of their time at the fair. Despite facing competition from selfies and digital photos, Juan maintains his commitment to providing printed photographs as a tangible way to preserve memories. He charges six euros per printed copy and relies on a photo lab in a mall in San Juan de Aznalfarache to print and deliver the photos the next morning. A group of women passing by in front of his studio decide to take a group photo to commemorate their first day at the fair together. Juan takes their photo, knowing the importance of capturing special moments for his clients.
Juan’s work goes beyond just taking pictures – it is about capturing memories and creating lasting images for his clients. While he may not have photographed many celebrities, he values his loyal customers who return year after year to his studio. These customers appreciate the nostalgia of seeing themselves in the same poses and order in the photos taken over the years. As technology continues to evolve, Juan faces challenges in adapting his business to the digital age but remains dedicated to preserving memories through traditional photography. Despite the changing landscape of photography, Juan’s commitment to his craft and his clients remains unwavering.
