Spanish photographer Yhabril captures the profound connection between humans and the mountains that shaped him. Growing up in the Pyrenees, his work bridges outdoor sports, landscapes, and celestial scenes — often blending athletes, moonlight, and wilderness into striking visual stories. Through patience, authenticity, and a deep respect for nature, he transforms moments of solitude and effort into images that remind us of our smallness and our bond with the natural world.
I grew up in Bilbao. Since I was a kid, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the natural paradises of the Basque Country — both its beaches and mountains. In my youth, I discovered snowboarding and immediately fell in love with it. It became such a big part of my life that I eventually got certified and worked as a snowboard instructor for many years, splitting my time between the Pyrenees during the winter and Gorliz, another beautiful village on the Basque coast, during the rest of the year. Later on, I finally settled down in Villanúa, in the heart of the Pyrenees.
Living in these places naturally fostered a deep connection to the natural world. Hiking, snowboarding, or simply spending time outdoors has always been part of who I am. Over time, I realized that photography allowed me to express what I felt in those moments: the silence, the light, the intensity of the elements, and the effort behind every adventure.
What began as a simple passion soon grew into something much greater. My images of skiing, snowboarding, trail running, mountain biking, and other outdoor sports started gaining recognition, earning awards in some of the most prestigious contests in these fields. At the same time, my fascination with the moon led me to combine it with landscapes and mountain sports in a way that resonated deeply with people — both for its visual impact and its emotional connection to the natural world.
That combination of passion, perseverance, and authenticity gradually transformed photography from a personal escape into my profession and my way of life. Today, it’s how I communicate, how I explore, and how I stay connected to the mountains that inspire everything I do. My long-term project of documenting the wildlife and the mountains around my home, together with my work in mountain sports photography, is what drives me every day.
During summer, I often hike up to sleep on their summits, searching for solitude and that deep connection with the mountains. When a northern wind flows into the valley, a spectacular sea of clouds often forms – that’s when I prepare my gear and start the long but rewarding climb, usually alone.
The afternoon of the image that won the Best of the Week 33, I reached the summit with enough time to prepare everything before sunset. The light was perfect, the air completely still, and the valley was covered by clouds. I took several landscape shots and also some self-portraits, trying to capture that sense of wonder and smallness we feel in front of such immensity. As the sun went down, the sky turned golden and the peaks floated over the sea of clouds – that’s when I took the photo…
I approached the composition of the image holistically, focusing on transmitting an emotion rather than arranging elements. In this image, I wanted to convey that feeling of being alone yet deeply connected to everything around. The human figure plays a key role: it gives scale to the landscape and becomes a bridge between the viewer and the scene. By placing myself facing the horizon, I wanted to express that quiet dialogue between a person and the mountain, a moment of connection and humility before something much greater.
The lines of the ridge lead the eye toward the sea of clouds and the distant peaks, creating depth and guiding the viewer through the image naturally. The warm tones of the sunset tie everything together, adding a sense of calm and harmony. I didn’t want the photo to be dramatic, but rather contemplative – a reminder of how small we are, and how lucky we are to witness such beauty.
With editing, I intended to preserve the atmosphere I experienced up there – the golden tones of sunset blending with the cold blues of the shadows. I carefully balanced colors to maintain the natural gradient of light, made gentle adjustments to highlights and shadows, and added slight contrast to define the layers of the landscape. I always try not to overedit; I want people to feel as if they could be standing there, breathing that same air. The light was already magical, so my work was mainly about balance and subtlety: enhancing contrast and color just enough to keep the image faithful to the emotion I felt and to convey that to others.
Later that day, after sunset and under a new moon and a sky free from light pollution, I captured the Milky Way. The following sunrise was equally magical, with the clouds rising and falling through the valleys. It was one of those experiences that remind me why I do this, moments that stay with you far beyond the photograph itself.
It doesn’t matter to me whether I go out to shoot landscapes, wildlife, or sports, during the day or the night. All these types of photography share the same essence – patience, respect, and a deep fascination for the natural environment. Nature always takes its time, and every image should come from observation, understanding, gratitude, and perseverance. Through wildlife photography, I’ve learned to slow down, to observe, and to feel part of something much bigger. Through sports, I’ve learned to anticipate, to capture movement and intensity, and to work alongside athletes who share the same passion for the mountains. And somewhere in between, the moon has always been a silent companion – a recurring presence that connects light, landscape, and emotion throughout my work.
My goal is to continue building a strong, unique, and honest portfolio that reflects not only my own vision but also the spirit of the athletes I work with and the wild places and creatures that inspire me. Ten years from now, I’d love to still be living in Villanúa, surrounded by breathtaking peaks that I know by heart, and to have gone even deeper into the magic of its landscapes and the life that inhabits them. My biggest hope is to keep growing as a photographer and as a person, finding new ways to capture the essence of these mountains.
I’d also love to know that my work and my passion have inspired others, especially my daughter, Sare, who will be seventeen by then. And of course, to remain as fortunate as I am today, being able to make a living from what I love most: photography.
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