I’m a photographer from Lisbon, Portugal, with a keen interest in telling visual stories about the world we live in.
What drives me is curiosity. The same curiosity that drove me to take a graduate degree in physics and the same curiosity that keeps me pushing to travel, to read, to listen, to see, to learn. I get equally fascinated by the chaos of large cities and the quietness of mountains, the daily life in remote villages and an erupting volcano, the calls to prayer and the birds singing, all an integral part of what surrounds us. It’s a personal journey, one that I find most successful when I’m able to tell a story through my images and in some way to communicate and interact with the viewer.
Photography is an ever learning process for me. I’ve been lucky to have good mentors along the way but I keep studying on a regular basis to learn, to be inspired and to believe I can keep growing as a photographer and human being.
If I’m not out there photographing or exploring I’m probably working as a Software Engineer. Other options could involve spending time cooking, playing on the PS5, watching tv and motorsports, reading, doing some exercise, researching for the next trip or…of course, editing images and studying photography.
Publications
2020:
FujiLove Magazine – Prime Lenses For Landscape Photography
2019:
National Geographic Portugal – Visões (Visions : double-spread with an image from Yangon, Myanmar. August)
2018:
National Geographic Portugal – Visões (Visions : double-spread with an image from Mandalay, Myanmar. November)
National Geographic Portugal – Visões (Visions : double-spread with an image from Gyumri, Armenia. August)
2017:
National Geographic Portugal – Visões (Visions : double-spread with an image from Holi festival, Vrindavan, India. December)
National Geographic Portugal – Edição Especial de Viagens : Açores (Travel Special Edition : Açores : full page, 1/2 with images from Pico and Corvo, Açores, Portugal. November)
National Geographic Portugal – Visões (Visions : double-spread with an image from Flores, Açores, Portugal. August)
© Alexandre Vaz
Recognition & Awards
2024:
Imaginature - Paisagens Íntimas (Intimate Landscapes) - Winner
2021:
Travel Photographer of the Year – Portfolio - People & their Stories – Finalist
Travel Photographer of the Year – Best single image in this portfolio - People & their Stories - Finalist
World Food Photography Awards (former Pink Lady Photographer of the Year) – Street Food – Highly Commended & Exhibited
2017:
Travel Photographer of the Year – Food! - Flavours of the World – Finalist
2015:
Festival de l’Oiseau et de la Nature – L’Oiseau dans le Paysage (the bird in the landscape) – Finalist & Exhibited. Included in the best 50 images of the contest
2014:
International Garden Photographer of the Year – Breathing Spaces – Commended & Published
Festival de l’Oiseau et de la Nature – En Vol et Atterrissage (in flight and landing) – Finalist & Exhibited
2013:
Travel Photographer of the Year – Vanishing & Emerging Cultures Portfolio – Finalist
Talks
2022:
Imaginature – Esperar o Inesperado (Expect the Unexpected)
Manteigas - Portugal
2020:
CINCLUS - Ilhas Afortunadas (Fortunate Isles)
Vouzela - Portugal
2019:
National Geographic Exodus Aveiro Fest - O Mundo em Imagem (The World in Image)
Aveiro - Portugal
2017:
Imaginature – Madeira : Ilhas Afortunadas (Madeira : Fortunate Isles)
Manteigas - Portugal
2016:
Ambiente Imagens Dispersas – Açores : Ilhas Afortunadas (Azores : Fortunate Isles)
Ovar - Portugal
2014:
CINCLUS – Islândia : Uma Perspectiva Pessoal (Iceland : A Personal Perspective)
Vouzela - Portugal