Unsplash Around the World: Brazil 🇧🇷

In this edition of Unsplash Around the World, we're heading to Brazil. From its vibrants cities to it's tropical beaches, Brazil provides endless inspiration to four talented photographers who call this country home.

Get to know Brazil by hearing from those who know it best, as Natalia Blauth, Allec Gomes, Fellipe Ditadi and Marcos Paulo Prado share how the country influences their art.

Who are you and where are you located? 

Natalia Blauth: I am currently living in Rio de Janeiro, but my hometown is Porto Alegre, in the south of Brazil. I am 34 and love to shoot both digital and analog, I have a special passion for food and travel.

Allec Gomes: I'm located in the city of Goiás, in the central region of Brazil.

Fellipe Ditadi: My name is Felipe Ditadi, I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I shoot a lot of sports and lifestyle/fashion photos.

Marcos Prado: I'm Marcos Prado, 35 years old and a photographer for 12 years, Fujifilm X-series Ambassador, based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

What do you love most about Brazilian culture?

Natalia: It's food and people. I believe we're very approachable and receptive, we love to communicate and celebrate life. It can be tricky to live in Brazil sometimes, but here we say that Brazilians never give up, so we're always finding clever ways of dealing with everyday challenges. 

Allec: What I love most about Brazilian culture is its incredible diversity. Being a country of continental size, we have multiple cultural influences from Africa, Europe, and the East, which makes Brazil rich in cultural diversity. (However, my personal favorite comes from the ancestral African cultures.)

Fellipe: I like the differences in scenery we find here, they are usually tropical and colorful scenes. People are friendly and know how to live well with what is around them.

Marcos: I had the opportunity to live and visit other countries, but there is something different here than any other place on the planet. Even with our problems, we find happiness in simple things, people are warm and very friendly and we have the best food in the world.

How does living in Brazil affect your photography?

Natalia: Rio is a beautiful city, probably the most beautiful in the world. The stunning nature such as mountains, forests, and beaches, plus the gorgeous people, gives a photographer a lot to work with. Despite this, going around taking photos, especially as a woman, can feel unsafe.

Allec: Living in Brazil deeply inspires my photography, especially because of the vibrant colors and the fact that it's a tropical country. The details of the plants and the incredible biodiversity, with a vast range of species from the Amazon to the Cerrado, offer countless opportunities to showcase the unique characteristics of each environment in my work.

Fellipe: I photograph a lot at sea, beaches, and mountains, and here in Rio there are a lot of these great scenes.

Marcos: The diversity of culture here is incredible, It's a big country, right? Any place you go, you can see something different, like people, houses, plants, food, accents, etc. And you don't need to go far to notice these differences, in my city, Rio de Janeiro, you have so many kinds of people and behaviors, I love that.

Which region in Brazil do you find particularly captivating for photography?

Natalia: I would say the whole country. But if I had to choose one, I would say Bahia. I still have different "Brazils" to visit though.

Allec: The regions I find particularly captivating for photography are the Cerrado and the Pantanal.

Marcos: I love Rio, of course, but the Brazil's Northeast you can see more diversity for photography.

What advice would you give to someone visiting Brazil for the first time?

Natalia: Open your mind and let yourself go!

Fellipe: I advise you to visit ''lesser'' known places in general. Try to make friends with a local to take you to incredible places with fewer people. They are usually the prettiest.

Marcos: Be ready to make plans to move and live here when you retire (or earlier).

Do you have a favorite festival or event to photograph?

Allec: My favorite event to photograph is the FICA (International Environmental Film Festival), which takes place every year in my city. It’s not only the festival I enjoy the most, but also one of the most important in Brazil and globally for filmmakers, photographers, and art lovers. FICA is an incredible festival that manages to connect all forms of art, creating a space where creativity and environmental awareness merge in a powerful way.

Marcos: Carnaval in Rio is amazing for that, unique! Everyone across the country is celebrating and partying. There are so many cultures involved in it. If you make a quick search you will know what I'm talking about. The colors, music, and movement are incredible.

What is something visitors should pack with them when traveling to Brazil?

Allec: Visitors should definitely pack light, breathable clothing due to the tropical climate in most parts of Brazil. It’s also a good idea to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle, especially if they plan to explore nature. Comfortable shoes are essential for walking through cities or natural landscapes. And don’t forget your camera with plenty of good memory cards—Brazil is a country where every place, from urban areas to wild nature, offers incredible photo opportunities.

Fellipe: Basic items that are always a good idea to have are sunglasses, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, Brazilian flip-flops, a hat, and water, as it is very sunny and hot here.

What is the one thing you would like people to know about your country?

Allec: Although Brazil is well-known for the Amazon and the beautiful beaches of Rio de Janeiro, it is also a very developed and safe country. Visitors can come and feel right at home. We Brazilians love being hosts and making others feel welcome.

Fellipe: Brazilians are very friendly people.

Marcos: Don't believe 100% what you see on the news about Brazil, we have problems like any other country, just be a bit more alert than usual and enjoy, seriously, don't worry. You will see how incredible is Brazil.

What is your favorite photo you have taken that really captures Brazil?

Natalia:

Allec:

Fellipe:

Marcos:

What is something you must eat when visiting Brazil?

Natalia: There are so many things! Feijoada, moqueca, açaí, a proper brazilian barbecue, pão de queijo, coxinha, the list goes on.

Fellipe: Sugarcane juice to drink, and to eat feijoada.

Marcos: Feijoada, Pão de queijo, churrasco, acarajé, Moqueca Baiana and açaí.

Do you have a preferred time of year or season for shooting in Brazil?

Natalia: During winter/autumn the light here gets a bit better to shoot since the sun's angle makes the light more even. During summer the sun goes up high so even early in the morning like at 8 am it could produce a harsh uneven shadow on the model's face.

Allec: My preferred time of year for shooting in Brazil is definitely the transition between spring and summer. Summer in Brazil is vibrant and full of life, with long, sunny days and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The light is intense, making the colors pop in every shot, whether in the lush green landscapes, the golden beaches, or the lively city streets. It's a season where people are outdoors, celebrating life, and you can feel the energy everywhere.

Spring, on the other hand, is closely tied to my photography of flowers and fruits. During this season, nature awakens with an explosion of colors and scents, and the transition into summer only intensifies this beauty, offering endless opportunities to capture the delicate and vibrant Brazilian flora.

Fellipe: Visiting Rio de Janeiro during autumn – March to June – can be a charming experience. The days are usually beautiful, sunny and pleasant.

Are there any elements of the Brazillian lifestyle and culture that you love to incorporate in your images? 

Natalia: The unique look in its people's eyes.

Allec: Yes, I love incorporating elements of Brazilian lifestyle and culture into my images, especially through vibrant colors and the rich diversity of our people. My photography often features close-up and macro shots, focusing on the intricate details of nature and everyday life. I enjoy blending minimalism with vivid colors to capture the essence of Brazil. Whether it’s the beauty of flora, fauna, or the vibrant energy of Brazilian culture, my images aim to highlight the richness and depth of these elements in a unique and meaningful way, helping people feel good and bringing them joy.

Fellipe: I like to photograph people of different ethnicities who live in Brazil, I like to portray the local culture of these people. As I like to photograph nature, so I'm usually close to forests and beaches

Marcos: Movements, smiles and colors.

If you had to choose one to photograph: Brazillian cities or rural areas?

Natalia: I have a special passion for photographing rural areas though I don't do it very often.

Fellipe: Rural Areas for sure. 

Marcos: Brazillian Cities of course!

Describe your country in one word.

Natalia: Diverse
Allec: Diverse
Fellipe: Crazy
Marcos: Happiness

See you next month at our next around-the-world location!