momentista

Momentista is a term used primarily in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking media to describe a person who focuses on capturing, presenting, or curating moments. It is not a formal professional title and its exact meaning varies by context.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from momento and the agent suffix -ista. In photography and journalism, a momentista often denotes someone who emphasizes spontaneous or decisive moments in images or reportage, similar to a street photographer or photojournalist, but with a stronger emphasis on the unposed, ephemeral nature of a scene. In social media and digital content, the term can describe creators who structure content around day-to-day “moments”—short, vignette-style posts or videos that aim to convey mood, atmosphere, or a narrative without long-form production. In advertising or events, a momentista might be someone tasked with capturing moments that illustrate a brand experience.

Contexts and attitudes: The term is informal and regional; some speakers use it neutrally to describe a skill, while others may view it as vague or promotional, depending on the context. There is overlap with roles like photographer, photojournalist, content creator, or influencer, but momentista is not a strictly defined professional category.

See also: Photojournalist, Street photographer, Content creator, Influencer, Decisive moment.