With over fifteen years of experience as an award-winning photographer working in more than 50 countries, I bring a unique intercultural perspective to my transition into visual ethnography and visual anthropology. My work, recognized with prestigious awards and included in permanent collections, reflects my commitment to visual storytelling as a powerful tool for qualitative inquiry and empathetic representation.
My academic background includes a degree in Nutrition and selected coursework in Theology, where I explored subjects such as Sociology of Religion and Anthropology of Religion. These experiences helped me develop interviewing skills, deepen my understanding of religious diversity in Brazil, and inspired the scientific publication of my photographic work.
This interdisciplinary foundation has shaped me as a researcher: curious, observant, and able to build trust and genuine connections with the communities I photograph, allowing me to authentically capture the ethos of rituals and traditions.
Unlike many photographers who keep their distance, my method is defined by deep immersion. I photograph from within the rituals: standing inside the Umbanda gira, joining the xirê in Candomblé, or side by side with incorporated entities at Vale do Amanhecer. Using a wide-angle lens, I capture the central moment of trance, adjacent steps of the ritual, and the reactions of other participants all in one dynamic frame. My images often reflect the sensations of the ceremonies: the spinning of orishas, the embrace of entities, and the energetic exchanges between incarnate and discarnate participants. My goal is to tell stories from within, offering the viewer the perspective of the participant rather than that of a distant observer.
As I transition into graduate studies in visual anthropology, I am eager to contribute with my interdisciplinary perspective, as both a researcher and an ethnographic photographer, to collaborative academic projects. By uniting scientific rigor, creative intuition, and an insider’s perspective, I aim to deepen the dialogue between art and anthropology, making the unseen dimensions of ritual and belief accessible, meaningful, and respectfully portrayed.
Currently, I am working on the following projects:
We are the Esmênias - Book; Independent research at Vale do Amanhecer
The Water Diaries - Book and exhibition
Heart Connections - Book and exhibition
We are the Esmênias - Book; Independent research at Vale do Amanhecer
The Water Diaries - Book and exhibition
Heart Connections - Book and exhibition
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PUBLICATIONS
Nunes, A., & Santana, L. (2023). “Ilê Asé Ojuinã Soroke Efon Dossier.” In From Behind the Scenes I See the World: Scenography, Costume, Makeup and More. Special Edition Black Theatres, vol. IX, pp. 209-227. ECA-USP, São Paulo. [Original work published in Portuguese]. (link)
Nunes, A., & Santana, L. (2023). “Ilê Asé Ojuinã Soroke Efon Dossier.” In From Behind the Scenes I See the World: Scenography, Costume, Makeup and More. Special Edition Black Theatres, vol. IX, pp. 209-227. ECA-USP, São Paulo. [Original work published in Portuguese]. (link)
Santana, L. (2023). "Chapter 11: The Ekiti Efon Nation: Liturgical and Cultural Customs," in From Behind the Scenes I See the World, Special Edition Black Theatres, vol. IX, ECA-USP. [Original work published in Portuguese] (link)
*Contributed original photographs
*Contributed original photographs
Nunes, A. (2016). "Prelude." Award-winning photograph. Published in the 10th Black and White Spider Awards Nominees Journal, July 20, 2016.
AWARDS & HONORS
2017 Photography Selected for the Permanent Collection of the Children and Youth Court of the Federal District, Brazil
2015 Photography Selected for the Permanent Collection of the Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories
2015 Honorable Mention, IPA International Photography Awards™ 2015, Category: One Shot: Home - Place
2015 Honorable Mention, IPA International Photography Awards™ 2015, Category: One Shot: Home - Perception
2015 Nominee, 10th Black and White Spider Awards, Category: Fine Art
2017 Photography Selected for the Permanent Collection of the Children and Youth Court of the Federal District, Brazil
2015 Photography Selected for the Permanent Collection of the Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories
2015 Honorable Mention, IPA International Photography Awards™ 2015, Category: One Shot: Home - Place
2015 Honorable Mention, IPA International Photography Awards™ 2015, Category: One Shot: Home - Perception
2015 Nominee, 10th Black and White Spider Awards, Category: Fine Art
EXHIBITIONS
2025 Conexões de Coração: Retratos e Relatos da Adoção Animal, Ongoing Project
2016 Oroboro Feminino: Meu fim é meu começo - Liberty Mall Brasília - DF
2017 Moradas do Amor - Metrópole Mall - Brasília - DF
2017 Moradas do Amor - Caliandra Empório & Café - Brasília - DF
2015 Luz, câmera, folia, Liberty Mall, Brasília - DF
2015 508 Horas - Espaço f/508 de fotografia - Brasília - DF
2015 Osman Demasiado Lins - Universidade de Brasília - Brasília - DF
2014 Entre afetos e sombras, Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories, Brasília - DF
2014 Entre afetos e sombras, Águas Claras Mall, Brasília - DF
2014 Entre afetos e sombras, Gilberto Salomão Mall, Brasília - DF
2025 Conexões de Coração: Retratos e Relatos da Adoção Animal, Ongoing Project
2016 Oroboro Feminino: Meu fim é meu começo - Liberty Mall Brasília - DF
2017 Moradas do Amor - Metrópole Mall - Brasília - DF
2017 Moradas do Amor - Caliandra Empório & Café - Brasília - DF
2015 Luz, câmera, folia, Liberty Mall, Brasília - DF
2015 508 Horas - Espaço f/508 de fotografia - Brasília - DF
2015 Osman Demasiado Lins - Universidade de Brasília - Brasília - DF
2014 Entre afetos e sombras, Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories, Brasília - DF
2014 Entre afetos e sombras, Águas Claras Mall, Brasília - DF
2014 Entre afetos e sombras, Gilberto Salomão Mall, Brasília - DF
EVENTS
2016 - 2017 Cofounder, Newborn Solution Photography Congress, Brasília - DF
2016 - 2017 Cofounder, Newborn Solution Talks, Espaço f/508 de Cultura, Brasília - DF
2016 - 2017 Cofounder, Newborn Solution Photography Congress, Brasília - DF
2016 - 2017 Cofounder, Newborn Solution Talks, Espaço f/508 de Cultura, Brasília - DF
LECTURES
2017 A revolução da fotografia de família em tempos de instagram - Palestra - Centro de Convenções Ulysses Guimarães - Brasília DF
2016 Enxergando a Luz em Preto e Branco - Oficina - Congresso Newborn Solution - Brasília DF
2015 Caverna da Criação: Imaginário e Formas - Debate Literário - Livraria Sebinho - Brasília DF
2014 Introdução à fotografia digital - Workshop - Espaço Par de Idéias - Brasília DF
2014 - 2018 Aulas particulares de fotografia - Alliny Nunes Estúdio de Fotografia - Brasília DF
2012 - 2013 Nikon Seminars: Advanced Digital Photography - Cursos - Princess Cruises - California EUA
2012 - 2013 Nikon Seminars: Digital Photography Basics - Cursos - Princess Cruises - California EUA
2017 A revolução da fotografia de família em tempos de instagram - Palestra - Centro de Convenções Ulysses Guimarães - Brasília DF
2016 Enxergando a Luz em Preto e Branco - Oficina - Congresso Newborn Solution - Brasília DF
2015 Caverna da Criação: Imaginário e Formas - Debate Literário - Livraria Sebinho - Brasília DF
2014 Introdução à fotografia digital - Workshop - Espaço Par de Idéias - Brasília DF
2014 - 2018 Aulas particulares de fotografia - Alliny Nunes Estúdio de Fotografia - Brasília DF
2012 - 2013 Nikon Seminars: Advanced Digital Photography - Cursos - Princess Cruises - California EUA
2012 - 2013 Nikon Seminars: Digital Photography Basics - Cursos - Princess Cruises - California EUA
ARTICLES
2017 Sua identidade enquanto fotógrafo, Outstanding Awards Blog: http://bit.ly/2EJT7LG
2017 Dicas para quem quer se tornar fotógrafo newborn , 46º graus website: https://bit.ly/39k0kVv
2017 Vernissage Moradas do Amor, Newborn Solution blog
2017 A melhor abordagem para as mídias sociais, Newborn Solution blog
2017 Conheça Smart Slides e revolucione o marketing da sua empresa, Newborn Solution blog
2017 Que tal diagramar álbuns inteiros em poucos minutos e ter de volta seu tempo livre? Newborn Solution blog
2014 How to get your children to relax during a family session, Belovely You Blog
2017 Sua identidade enquanto fotógrafo, Outstanding Awards Blog: http://bit.ly/2EJT7LG
2017 Dicas para quem quer se tornar fotógrafo newborn , 46º graus website: https://bit.ly/39k0kVv
2017 Vernissage Moradas do Amor, Newborn Solution blog
2017 A melhor abordagem para as mídias sociais, Newborn Solution blog
2017 Conheça Smart Slides e revolucione o marketing da sua empresa, Newborn Solution blog
2017 Que tal diagramar álbuns inteiros em poucos minutos e ter de volta seu tempo livre? Newborn Solution blog
2014 How to get your children to relax during a family session, Belovely You Blog
PRESS
2017 Vernissage Moradas do Amor, Newborn Solution
2017 Jornal O Povo - Festa Infantil: tema Turma da Mônica Toys - http://bit.ly/2qwkHXN
2015 Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e Dos Territórios - Memorial do TJDFT recebe exposição de fotografia e poesia a partir do dia 6/7 - http://bit.ly/2vg3Fm7
2015 Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e Dos Territórios - Memorial do TJDFT lança exposição de fotografias em preto e branco e poesias minimalistas - http://bit.ly/2vesfUD
2009 Com lentes da subversão, fotógrafos registram noite underground brasiliense, Finíssimo
2017 Vernissage Moradas do Amor, Newborn Solution
2017 Jornal O Povo - Festa Infantil: tema Turma da Mônica Toys - http://bit.ly/2qwkHXN
2015 Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e Dos Territórios - Memorial do TJDFT recebe exposição de fotografia e poesia a partir do dia 6/7 - http://bit.ly/2vg3Fm7
2015 Tribunal de Justiça do Distrito Federal e Dos Territórios - Memorial do TJDFT lança exposição de fotografias em preto e branco e poesias minimalistas - http://bit.ly/2vesfUD
2009 Com lentes da subversão, fotógrafos registram noite underground brasiliense, Finíssimo