Brazilian born, Toronto based photographer Ériver Hijano takes super nice documentary style photos with a high-end look about them. We grabbed him for a photochat.

Who are you and what’s your background?

My name is Ériver (sounds something like eddie-ver) and I was born and raised in a town just outside of São Paulo, Brazil. When I was 19, I decided to move to Toronto, Canada for a change of scenery and English lessons. I started getting into photography sometime around then, which made me decide to linger a while and go to university here. Although I still call Toronto home, I also love escaping whenever I get a chance, which makes my folks quite happy down south.

How long have you been taking photos for?

I bought my first real camera when I was 20. Taking photos seriously for about 6 years now I believe.

What’s your most memorable image you have shot?

There is a photo I shot when on a hike with two other friends a couple of years ago that got a lot more attention than I ever thought it would. I just happened to have my Hasselblad on me, asked them to go stand by a cliff and snapped it. It’s interesting to see how spontaneity is on your side sometimes.

Who and what influences you?

Lately, Viviane Sassen is one of my biggest idols. I just saw her work for the first time about a year ago and fell in love immediately. She has a sensibility for claiming everyday things and creating an extraordinary little universe of her own that I find just uncanny. I also look up to people like Dan Winters for his absolute mastery of photography in every possible sense. With that in mind, I feel at the moment I am trying to find a balance between playmaking and documenting.

What are your ambitions for the future?

Take more photos. Travel. Be happy.

What are you currently listening to?

I’ve been into folk-y music lately. Nick Drake is always playing in my room. For newer stuff, I find Alexander Ebert’s solo album ‘Alexander’ pretty fantastic. Bill Callahan’s ‘Sometimes I Wish We Were an Eagle’ has been one of most played recently as well.

http://cargocollective.com/eriver

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