ESTI … that’s what most people call me. My full name is Estíbalitz Soto Alañón: beautiful, but quite a mouthful. I am originally from Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona, Spain) and now based in Belgium, working as an industrial photographer and hosting ESTI: a series of portrait workshops built around traditions, culture and the people behind them.
With ESTI, I organize photography workshops focused on portraiture that goes beyond the surface. We capture traditions, culture, skills, craftsmanship, and even sports. When I travel, I enjoy nature, landscapes and wildlife, but I’m just as drawn to the people and traditions that make each place unique. I’ve always been fascinated by how things are made and how people have solved everyday challenges throughout history, often with remarkable ingenuity and beauty.
In my workshops, we don’t just snap what’s in front of us; we think, plan and work together to create portraits that truly reflect the story and meaning behind our subjects. Photography-wise, we solve it, step by step, on location, together.
Alongside ESTI, my core work is professional photography in the industrial sector. It might seem far from travel and traditions, but the reason behind both is the same: I’m deeply interested in how things are done and how the world keeps moving. Industry is the backstage of our everyday life. I photograph these processes and the people involved, so companies can be transparent, show how their expertise, and how what they do supports the lifestyle many of us take for granted. Often, we also highlight how they are trying to operate more responsibly and work towards a more sustainable relationship with the world.
