All of the people in the photos were Alberti's friends, some of whom drank wine regularly, while others rarely did. The photographer explained that he always took the first photo as soon as his friends arrived at his studio. He wanted to capture them just as they were—tired and worn out after a long day at work, often still stressed from traffic.
As the series goes on, the effects of alcohol become evident — smiles emerge, and playful expressions take over. "By the end of the third glass, several smiles emerged and many stories were told."
Alberti chose Cabernet Sauvignon because he thought it was a wine most people would enjoy. The photos were all taken at night, during the middle of the week, in his studio in São Paulo, Brazil. The whole project came together over the course of six evenings.
After taking the first portrait, Alberti would offer his friends a glass of wine. He didn’t stick to a strict schedule or tell them when to finish each drink. Instead, he waited patiently as they sipped at their own pace. With each new glass, he took another portrait. Alberti shared that he was genuinely surprised by the results—he hadn’t expected such a dramatic shift in mood between the first and second photos.
Interestingly, in Brazil, sharing wine with someone is seen as more intimate than grabbing a casual beer. That sense of closeness shows up in the photos as the wine kicks in—smiles become wider, body language loosens, and expressions grow more playful. By the time the third glass is poured, Alberti describes the moment as “mayhem.” But he adds that mayhem looks different for everyone.
