We begin 2026 with a six-part series centered around themes of place, movement, and conflict. These issues demand deeper human-centered context, as displacement, political instability, and environmental pressure increasingly define daily life for millions.

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In episode 017 of Exposures, documentary photographer Greta Rico speaks with Sofía Aldinio about the personal and investigative foundations of her long-term project Substitute Mother. Rico explains how the work began after the murder of her cousin, which revealed a largely overlooked consequence of femicide in Mexico: the children left behind and the women who step in to raise them. Through years of close documentation, Rico examines the social, emotional, and economic realities faced by these families while reflecting on the ethical responsibilities and psychological toll of photographing trauma within one’s own community.

The conversation also touches on Rico’s broader approach to documentary practice and the working methods that shape her projects. She discusses how curiosity and research often guide the beginning of her work, as well as the importance of building long-term relationships with the communities she photographs. Rico also reflects on the emotional realities of documentary storytelling and the need for photographers to acknowledge and care for their own psychological well-being while working on difficult subjects.

Greta Rico

Greta Rico is a documentary photographer and visual storyteller whose work focuses on gender-based violence, human rights, and the systemic effects of inequality in Mexico and Latin America. With a background in journalism and international cooperation, she uses long-form photographic narratives to explore how institutional failures impact the lives of women and marginalized communities.

Her work has been supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation, National Geographic Society, and Open Society Foundations, among others. Greta is a member of Women Photograph and has been selected as a fellow with the Magnum Foundation, CatchLight, and World Press Photo’s 6x6 Global Talent Program. Her photography has been exhibited in Mexico, the United States, and Europe, and published in outlets including The Washington Post, Bloomberg, and El País.

Sofia Aldinio

Sofía Aldinio is a documentary photographer and visual storyteller whose work focuses on migration, climate, cultural identity, and the changing relationship between people and land. Her projects often center on individuals and communities adapting to environmental and political pressure, with an emphasis on intimate, long-form storytelling. Originally from Argentina and based in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, Sofía works across Latin America and the American West.

She is a CatchLight Local Fellow, a National Geographic Explorer, and a recipient of support from the National Geographic Society and the International Women’s Media Foundation. Her work has been featured in publications including The New York Times, High Country News, and Yes! Magazine, and exhibited in community spaces, museums, and educational settings. In addition to her documentary work, Sofía facilitates storytelling workshops with youth and migrant communities, focusing on self-representation and narrative agency.

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