ABOUT

Rafael Fabrés (b.1982. Madrid.) is a photographer and filmmaker specializing in documentary storytelling.

He holds a BA in Media Communication (UEM) and a Master’s Degree in Cinematography (ESCAC).

Rafael´s work explores the connections between identity, displacement and belonging in his projects.

After having lived in Central and Latin America for more than a decade working as a photojournalist, he felt compelled to dig deeper into his past experience and expand his visual approach beyond his previous perspective.

This led to his first book titled Cafuné (2020), focusing tangentially on the "pacification" of the favelas in Rio; the work was a personal perspective of the Marvelous City during the Pope’s visit and the massive protests in 2013, the World Cup of 2014 and the Olympic Games of 2016.

The book “Cafuné” was launched at the 2020 Visa Pour L´Image festival and won awards at the 2020 Prix de la Photographie Paris, the 2021 Lucie Photobook Prize and the 2022 Rotterdam/Tiradentes Photo Festival.

A series of short films, photo projects and exhibitions followed, all part of an ongoing interactive Web Project founded by the Spanish Brazilian Studies Institute.

Rafael is currently working in his two next long term projects between City of Mexico and Madrid.

Publications + Clients

TIME, Getty Images,The New York Times, Stern, Der Spiegel, El Pais Semanal, Paris Match, Le Monde, L´Express, De Volkskrant, L´Expansion, Daily Telegraph, Aljazeera, AP, Bloomberg, Canon, NPR, Iberia, UNICEF, MSN France, Red Cross, NRC Next, Caser, YAHOO, Modus magazine, Yo Donna, Dagens Naeringgsliv, Philosophie Magazine, De Standard, Mia Magazine, Dagens Niheter, DPA, El Mundo, Fashion and Arts Magazine, FHM Norway, Fish Eye Magazine, GEA Photowords, RAW Magazine, Helsingin Sanomat, Il Fatto Quotidiano, Ilta Sanomat, IN Magazine, Knack Magazine, Revista luces, La Nacion, LF Magazine & Gatopardo.

Awards

2022- Tiradentes Rotterdam Photo Festival. Finalist

2021- Lucie Photobook Prize. Finalist

2020- PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris Book/Documentary Professional Silver Award Winner

2018- Mexico International Film Festival Music Video Category Winner.

2017- European Cinematography Awards Best Music Video Category Winner.

2016- European Journalism Centre (EJC) Grant Winner.

2013- POYi Award of Excellence News Story Category.

2013- Photocrati Fund Honorable Mention.

2013- Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation Grant Finalist.

2013- International Photography Awards Honorable Mention Editorial-General News.

2013- International Photography Awards Honorable Mention Editorial-Photo Essay and Feature Story.