In the surrounding valleys of Oaxaca in Mexico, there is an ancestral celebration where entire communities take over the streets, filling the atmosphere with music, fireworks, and the presence of dark & mythical entities. With burnt oil covering their entire skins, loud-clattering cowbells around their waists, and masks made of dried animal parts, bones, and carved wood, they embody and channel the energy from their ancestors in the form of dancing devils.
But it’s not all about creating a diabolical block party all around town. Dating back to the times of Spanish colonization, these carnivals held mythical & ancestral significance mixed with a rebellious act of mockery to the imposed Catholic religion by Spanish invaders. To prepare themselves for Cuaresma, a period of 40 days of penance, prayer, and fasting, the Zapotecas created symbolic wedding engagements as an excuse to celebrate and drink before Sunday confession and the upcoming weeks of good Catholic behavior. These fictitious weddings were accompanied by a horde of Diablos that marched the streets, starting from the bride's house, and making their way to the municipality center in a big celebratory and festive dance.
The costume's purpose was not just for fun; turning into a diablo also had a mythical and spiritual purpose. They dress up to protect themselves against bad energies and influences, while the loud-sounding cowbells were used to fend off evil and bad spirits. Spiritually, they not only cleanse themselves as individuals but also cleanse the whole town, celebrating as a connected community.
Oaxaca, Mexico
2024
After 10 years of dreaming about capturing this scene, I can finally say I accomplished one of my most important life’s achievements. Venturing into the mouth of hell and witnessing the unforgiving wrath of our planet with my own eyes, while capturing its glory. A photographer’s dream not everyone gets to experience in their lifetime.
After an intense but steady 4-hour hike up to Acatenango’s basecamp, the framing of the Fire Volcano resembled scenes from nature documentaries or sci-fi films. During the day, the booming sound and the trembling of the earth below my feet were accompanied by a giant cloud of ash, creating an atmosphere of excitement and suspense. As dusk fell, and the darkness of night peaked around the corner, the rocks thrown from the explosions had an incandescent glow from the heat, but that was nothing compared to the light show that was about to unfold. In the dark of the night, within a window of around 15 to 30 minutes, the sky ignited with massive bursts of flaming rocks and lava, turning the whole landscape into an inferno that fulfilled the thirst for Armageddon my camera had been waiting so long to capture. At an altitude above 3,976 meters, it was as close as I’ve ever been to heaven and hell.
Guatemala
2023
In the surrounding valleys of Oaxaca in Mexico, there is an ancestral celebration where entire communities take over the streets, filling the atmosphere with music, fireworks, and the presence of dark & mythical entities. With burnt oil covering their entire skins, loud-clattering cowbells around their waists, and masks made of dried animal parts, bones, and carved wood, they embody and channel the energy from their ancestors in the form of dancing devils.
But it’s not all about creating a diabolical block party all around town. Dating back to the times of Spanish colonization, these carnivals held mythical & ancestral significance mixed with a rebellious act of mockery to the imposed Catholic religion by Spanish invaders. To prepare themselves for Cuaresma, a period of 40 days of penance, prayer, and fasting, the Zapotecas created symbolic wedding engagements as an excuse to celebrate and drink before Sunday confession and the upcoming weeks of good Catholic behavior. These fictitious weddings were accompanied by a horde of Diablos that marched the streets, starting from the bride's house, and making their way to the municipality center in a big celebratory and festive dance.
The costume's purpose was not just for fun; turning into a diablo also had a mythical and spiritual purpose. They dress up to protect themselves against bad energies and influences, while the loud-sounding cowbells were used to fend off evil and bad spirits. Spiritually, they not only cleanse themselves as individuals but also cleanse the whole town, celebrating as a connected community.
Oaxaca, Mexico
2024
Manggarai Warriors: Caci Whip Fights in Flores, Indonesia
Indonesia is a vast and diverse archipelago, home to thousands of islands, hundreds of volcanoes, and an extraordinary variety of tribes, dialects, and cultures. After exploring Java, Bali, and Lombok, I continued my journey to Flores—where I witnessed something truly unexpected.
The Manggarai Caci Whip Fights are a striking blend of dance and ritual combat, held during Penti, a festival celebrated at the end of the harvest season to mark the close of the agricultural year. Traditionally, Caci serves as a rite of passage—giving young men a chance to demonstrate their strength, bravery, and transition into manhood. Historically, it was also a way to resolve inter-village conflicts.
In these ceremonial battles, warriors wield a long whip crafted from wood with a leather-covered handle, paired with a round shield made of bamboo and buffalo hide. Defenders also hold a bamboo stick in their left hand for added protection. Dressed in traditional clothing with a belt of bells tied around their hips, the warriors move with rhythmic precision—the sound of the bells taunting their opponent as they prepare to strike.
When the fight begins, each warrior takes turns delivering a single, calculated whip strike. Victory depends not on brute force, but on precision—only hits to the head or face determine the winner. The air vibrates with the sound of drums, chanting, bells, and the sharp crack of the whip, creating an electrifying and deeply immersive atmosphere.
I was incredibly lucky to be there—these fights only take place a few times a year. Witnessing this event was, without a doubt, one of the most unforgettable highlights of my entire journey through Indonesia.
Flores, Indonesia
2019
Chasing Stars in the Atacama Desert, Chile
As a landscape photographer, visiting the Atacama Desert in Chile had always been a dream. Known as the driest desert on Earth, it also offers some of the clearest night skies—making it a paradise for astrophotography. Its surreal, Mars-like terrain creates an otherworldly experience for both photographers and space enthusiasts alike.
Over five unforgettable days, we drove from Antofagasta through the Paranal Observatory, the Hand of the Desert, San Pedro de Atacama, and Los Flamencos National Reserve. The nights were freezing, dry, and impossibly quiet—perfect conditions for capturing the stars. The days, in contrast, were vivid and vibrant, filled with stunning colors and dramatic landscapes.
Out of all the trips I’ve taken, this one stands out as the most rewarding experience I’ve had since starting my journey in landscape photography. Everything about the Atacama feels like stepping into another planet.
All images were captured using a Fujifilm X-T2 with a Fujinon 35mm f/1.4, Rokinon 12mm f/2.0, and a Mavic Pro Drone. Edited in Adobe Lightroom.
Atacama Desert, Chile
2017
In the surrounding valleys of Oaxaca in Mexico, there is an ancestral celebration where entire communities take over the streets, filling the atmosphere with music, fireworks, and the presence of dark & mythical entities. With burnt oil covering their entire skins, loud-clattering cowbells around their waists, and masks made of dried animal parts, bones, and carved wood, they embody and channel the energy from their ancestors in the form of dancing devils.
But it’s not all about creating a diabolical block party all around town. Dating back to the times of Spanish colonization, these carnivals held mythical & ancestral significance mixed with a rebellious act of mockery to the imposed Catholic religion by Spanish invaders. To prepare themselves for Cuaresma, a period of 40 days of penance, prayer, and fasting, the Zapotecas created symbolic wedding engagements as an excuse to celebrate and drink before Sunday confession and the upcoming weeks of good Catholic behavior. These fictitious weddings were accompanied by a horde of Diablos that marched the streets, starting from the bride's house, and making their way to the municipality center in a big celebratory and festive dance.
The costume's purpose was not just for fun; turning into a diablo also had a mythical and spiritual purpose. They dress up to protect themselves against bad energies and influences, while the loud-sounding cowbells were used to fend off evil and bad spirits. Spiritually, they not only cleanse themselves as individuals but also cleanse the whole town, celebrating as a connected community.
Oaxaca, Mexico
2024
One of my main purposes in San Cristóbal de las Casas back in 2021 was to collaborate with local shops and artists to create some compelling imagery. The connections and friendships I made during those weeks led me to incredible and rewarding experiences—just like this one.
After visiting @the_black_crystal_, a local art gallery and jewelry shop in the Andador de Guadalupe, I proposed doing a shoot for their next collection, along with some of their badass-looking friends.
The results couldn’t have been any better.
Their designs were inspired by ritualistic ornamentation from ancient cultures. The stones featured in the images—natural quartz and serpentine—were gathered from the Chenalhó community on the outskirts of San Cristóbal. All the metalwork, including the chains, was handmade.
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
2021
With incredible summer weather, surfers in Puerto Rico can easily adapt to the different swells that hit the island’s coastlines and ride its waves almost all year long. But Puerto Rico’s identity as a surfing destination is also rooted in the local surfing community, the pillars of which are surfboard craftsmen.
Composed of locals who have spent their entire lives surfing and studying the island’s waves, craftsmen use their experience as inspiration to build beautiful surfboards by hand. Not only are their designs works of art that have been personalized for the needs and skills of each customer, but they are also a relevant symbol of identity for any local surfers who own these boards.
There is a certain sense of pride among local surfers to ride a surfboard made in Puerto Rico, especially within an industry that is heavily influenced by international brands. But it wasn’t until the beginning of 2023—when I received my first custom hand-shaped surfboard from Machete Shapes—that I truly understood that sense of pride, which sparked my curiosity enough to visit and document the works of local shapers Mika Ramírez, Néstor Ramírez, and Migue Flores.
2023
Read the full article here:
https://www.afar.com/magazine/surfboard-craftsmen-are-shaping-puerto-ricos-surfing-culture
Dia de los Muertos in the indigenous communities of Zinacantan & Romerillo. A day surrounded by altars dressed in vibrant cempasúchil flowers, candles, food, pox and traditional music in honor of their relatives who have passed. Rather than a dark mourning of death, joyful celebrations were shared among the communities and throughout Mexico.
Chiapas, Mexico
2022
Back in 2018, I made the bold decision to leave everything behind and move to New Zealand—a long-held dream that had lived in the back of my mind for years. What started as a photography ambition quickly transformed into something deeper: a personal challenge, a leap of faith. For the first time in my life, I took matters into my own hands and did something I’d always wanted to do. It was now or never. Looking back, I can proudly say it was the biggest—and best—decision I’ve ever made.
These images are a visual diary of my journey across Aotearoa, beginning with my first month exploring the North Island. From the urban pulse of Auckland to the mystical glowworm caves of Taipu, and the geothermal wonders of Rotorua to the dramatic silhouette of Mt. Taranaki in New Plymouth—every stop revealed another facet of this island’s incredible diversity. Along the way, I visited rainforests, black sand beaches, hot springs, geysers, lakes, rivers, volcanoes, and the winding Forgotten Highway. Each scene offered something new to discover, and to photograph.
After weeks on the North Island, it was time to head south—and the South Island felt like stepping into a living painting. I traveled from its northern tip all the way to the southernmost edge at Stirling Point, the closest coast to the South Pole. Living out of my van, I drove coast to coast at my own pace, soaking in New Zealand’s magic one frame at a time.
From fiery, saturated sunsets and mist-covered alpine peaks to crystal-clear mirror lakes and rugged coastlines—every day brought a new masterpiece. I wandered through glacial valleys and lush forests veiled in endless waterfalls, hiked among towering snow-capped mountains, stood beneath the shimmering Aurora Australis, and felt the power of the land in what many call the “Spiritual Center of the World.” The South Island is a landscape photographer’s dream—a raw, untouched canvas of elemental beauty and awe-inspiring contrasts.
This year-long journey has been more than an adventure—it’s been a transformation. One that reminds me why I fell in love with photography in the first place: to explore, to feel, and to tell stories through light and landscape.
New Zealand
2018-2019
On assignment with The Jungle Journal magazine, I had the opportunity to once again venture deep into the jungles of southern Mexico to photograph and document a journey that took us from Palenque into the heart of the Lacandona region and its surrounding communities. As part of TJJ’s mission to educate and raise awareness, this new project invites travelers to explore the jungle’s stunning biodiversity and rich cultural heritage—while living alongside and sharing moments with the Lacandon people, descendants of the ancient Maya.
Working on meaningful projects like this reminds me how fortunate I am to do what I love for a living. It’s work that not only allows me to create art that reflects the world around me, but also helps preserve and share the stories of remarkable cultures and the inspiring individuals I encounter along the way.
Lacandona Jungle, Chiapas, Mexico
2023
In June 2021, I teamed up with a local friend from Chiapas to travel and document the agricultural communities living around the Lacandona jungle. Just 20 minutes into our journey, we ran into a traffic jam and a roadblock made of massive fallen tree trunks. Outraged neighboring communities were protesting, demanding government intervention to expel an armed evangelical pastor who had been tormenting and intimidating their people.
We were told the road had been blocked for three days and that no one was allowed to pass. My friend explained that the communities we planned to visit depended on selling their products to him. He then proposed a peaceful solution to their conflict in exchange for safe passage. After hours of discussion, the community leader arrived and agreed to the terms. Everyone gathered around my friend to help craft a message—one that clearly outlined their demands. They wrote it down, then read it aloud on camera so it could be shared with the media, amplifying their voices and pressuring local authorities to take action.
This is a powerful story I’ve wanted to share since last year, but it didn’t feel right at the time—it was their moment to be heard. I feel humbled to have served a community that, like so many others, is fighting for justice and striving to preserve peace.
Chiapas, Mexico
2021
In 2024, we shared these beautiful images from our latest excursion to the Toniná museum, where I had the chance to accompany a group of young Mayan students—Tsotsiles and Tseltales, all around 16 years old—for a special class on Mesoamerican history. For most of them, it was their very first time visiting an archaeological site.
We had the support of the museum, which screened a documentary about Toniná, and we were fortunate to have an incredible local guide who shared his knowledge in the students’ native Tseltal language.
It was a truly moving, powerful experience—standing there with the new generation of Mayans, the very descendants of this cultural richness, surrounded by the magic still alive in the stones of Toniná.
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Yax Hun is a Social Archaeology collective with a mission to share ancient archaeological knowledge among present-day Mayan communities. They teach Mayan archaeology and history while assisting students in learning and reclaiming the ancient art of hieroglyphic writing.
Chiapas, Mexico
2024
“If the world burns, let it be because the flame of justice is unstoppable.”
— Subcomandante Marcos
The Zapatista Army, joined by activists and supporters, gathered to commemorate 30 years since the armed uprising in resistance against the government and the oppressive capitalist system.
Chiapas, Mexico
December 31, 2023
When I moved back to Chiapas a few months ago, I made a promise to myself: to make local friends, work on meaningful projects, and give something back to the community. This assignment for @corazonartesanal was exactly that—a rare and beautiful opportunity to document a special day at the elementary school in Zinacantán.
As part of a summer class, the kids were introduced to the world of yoga and meditation through playful, interactive games. This is part of an ongoing cultural exchange program, where international guests are occasionally invited to host creative workshops, share their professions, and give students a glimpse into the world beyond their community.
During my visit, the workshop was all about building your own cardboard camera—led by none other than… Professor Jesse! 📸 By the end of the day, every student had crafted their own toy camera and took home a portrait of themselves to share with their families. It was pure joy from start to finish.
A heartfelt thank you to @mai_abriendomisalas for inviting me to be part of such a fun and meaningful experience. I’m already looking forward to seeing the kids again and continuing to work on projects that connect and inspire.
Zinacantan, Mexico
2023
“If the world burns, let it be because the flame of justice is unstoppable.”
— Subcomandante Marcos
The Zapatista Army, joined by activists and supporters, gathered to commemorate 30 years since the armed uprising in resistance against the government and the oppressive capitalist system.
Chiapas, Mexico
December 31, 2023
There’s a hidden gem in Colorado that few people know about — a place where the tallest sand dunes in North America rise dramatically from the valley floor, surrounded by streams of snowmelt flowing from the peaks of Mount Herard. Here, golden sand meets alpine mountains, and at night, the sky transforms into a blanket of stars. Colorado offers countless opportunities for landscape photography, but what first drew me to the state was the surreal beauty of the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
The first time I planned a trip there, visiting the dunes would’ve required nearly two full days — a journey I couldn’t make at the time. But a year later, I returned to Colorado with one goal: to experience the land of the dunes.
Located about two hours from Colorado Springs, the drive to the park is as scenic as the destination itself. Once inside, you’re constantly greeted by the breathtaking sight of towering dunes framed by distant mountains. To camp among the dunes, we had to get a backcountry permit and follow specific park guidelines. The hike began easily enough, but after 25 minutes of steep ascents, our legs began to burn. Forty-five minutes in, we reached the highest dune — standing 750 feet tall — and carefully set up our tent out of sight to preserve the untouched view.
The sunset that evening was unforgettable. The golden light painted the dunes in warm, sweeping curves, while Mount Herard, perfectly positioned west of the setting sun, became bathed in vibrant color. For my photography trips, I usually plan around a new moon to shoot the Milky Way. But this time, I embraced the full moon. I wanted to use its light to illuminate the landscape — and it worked beautifully. For the first time, I was able to capture Mount Herard, the glowing dunes, and the stars all in a single exposure. I hadn’t realized how much light the moon could provide until that night.
Spending the night out there was an experience I’ll never forget. For any landscape photographer, I highly recommend visiting the Great Sand Dunes — and studying the moon cycle beforehand. Whether you’re chasing the Milky Way or experimenting with moonlight, the possibilities for unique compositions are endless.
Colorado, USA
2017
