“It is a place where ancestry is alive, where traditions intertwine with modernity, and where, despite the difficulties, the people never lose hope and a sense of community.”
While photography is a craft that inspires people to travel, Raimundo Cavalhier has a special bond with Brazil.
Born in Alagoinhas, Bahia, Cavalhier was shaped by his culture, his people, and his country’s history. The depth of his images is immeasurable, and if there’s one thing to learn from his photography, it’s that a contemporary take on your country’s people and history only adds a layer of appeal. Something that brings viewers in.
And isn’t that what photography is all about?
Today, so many things are vying for our attention—ads, sales announcements, new releases of programs, products, and whatnot. How do you produce content that will keep people’s attention? How do you make them want more?
This is when we learn to choose the kinds of images that are not just authentic and inclusive but demonstrate depth.
We spoke to architect, researcher, photographer, and Shutterstock Create Fund winner Raimundo Cavalhier about people, empowerment, and how Brazilian blood plays a role in his work and perspective.
Shutterstock: Hi Raimundo! Tell me about your role as a photographer. What comes to mind when you think of “Raimundo” and “photographer”?
Raimundo Cavalhier: When I think of myself as a photographer, the first thing that comes to mind is the connection with my roots—with the strength that comes from my ancestry.
I am the son of a former cleaning lady. A woman who fought tirelessly to raise nine children and, with the little she had, built dreams. Making my dreams come true is not just about me but also about my mother’s. With each achievement I make, I am carrying on her legacy.
My journey in photography started when my community believed in me. When I was a child, my sister noticed that I had a natural aptitude for photography. From then, photography transpired not only in my life but also in the entire community. It is empowering my people, showing them their strength, their beauty, and their roots. With each click, I showcase what my community is: powerful and represented.
When I think of photography, I think of representation. I see myself as a river in constant movement, always connected to my origins. Because I know that if a river forgets where it came from, it dries up and dies. And I will never forget where I came from.
That’s what my photography is a continuous flow. A way of keeping alive the stories, the struggles, and the dignity of my community.
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SSTK: I love that your sister enrolled you in a course. I think it hits differently when our family supports us that way. When and where did this passion start?
Cavalhier: My passion for photography began long before I fully understood the impact it would have on my life.
What led me to love photography was the way it allows me to capture stories, emotions, and moments that, otherwise, might be lost in time. I started working professionally in 2018 after completing the course.
SSTK: What is it about photography that you love the most?
Cavalhier: The ability to capture people’s essence and stories in an authentic way. I love photographing faces, looks, and smiles, which reveal much more than words can say.
Each photo is a window into a unique universe, and what I love most is being able to immortalize moments that show the beauty, strength, and emotion of each person.
For me, photography is about giving voice to invisible stories and creating deep connections through images.
SSTK: Is being a photographer your full-time job? Or do you plan to make it your full-time job?
Cavalhier: No, I also work as an architect. I divide my time between the two areas, but most of the time is spent on photography. It is the one that moves me and inspires me in a unique way.
Although architecture is also part of who I am, my hope is that photography will occupy more and more space in my life and become my main job.
SSTK: You’re based in Brazil, right? When asked about Brazil, what would you say about it? How would you describe it?
Cavalhier: Yes, I live in Brazil and, for me, this country is a land rich in contrasts and deep histories. Brazil is a place of diversity in people, cultures, colors, and landscapes. When I think of Brazil, I think of the roots that run as deep as the rivers that cut through the interior.
It is a country of resistance, where communities like mine fight daily for space, for a voice, and for respect. I see it as a nation of strength, beauty, and power, but also marked with inequalities that need to be faced head-on.
For me, Brazil is this: A land that reflects our history but that also carries the dream of a more just future where everyone can see themselves represented.
SSTK: Love that! And I love how simple and emotive your images are! This one is a personal favorite. What’s the story behind it?
Cavalhier: This is my mother, my love. This photo has a deep meaning for me—it speaks of ancestry, history, and love. My mother always said she didn’t like taking pictures, but every time I invite her to be my model, she accepts.
And this happens because she believes in my work. Because she believes in me. Through this gesture, my mother gives me strength, and each image I take of her carries the strength of generations and the affection that unites us.
SSTK: What or who inspires you?
Cavalhier: My favorite material that inspires me is Adriano Machado. Since the beginning of my days in photography, it has been a great reference for me. I always admire the way he captures stories and expresses emotions through his images. Adriano’s work taught me to look at photography in a more profound and authentic way.
Photographer Helen Salomão is also an important inspiration. They both helped me shape my vision and style, and I continue to admire their work for their ability to tell visual stories with so much impact and sensitivity.
SSTK: Your Shutterstock bio says you’re a researcher. Can you tell me more about that?
Cavalhier: My story as a researcher began in high school when I joined a group dedicated to researching the environmental impact of electronic materials. We collected these materials at school and ensured that they were disposed of correctly because we knew that if they were disposed of improperly, they could cause harm. This was especially relevant for my city, Alagoinhas, in Bahia, which is known worldwide for the São Sebastião Aquifer, which is responsible for making Alagoinhas’ water the second best in the world.
This research work led me to remarkable experiences. It was the first time I left my state, traveling to places like Recife and Belém do Pará, among others. I had never flown, and being the first in my family to have this experience was an immense joy.
When I entered college, studying Architecture and Urban Planning, my research took a different direction. I began studying the daily life of cities, urban flow, communities, and local culture.
All of these themes began to be translated into my photographic work, uniting architecture, urbanism, and art in a visual expression of what I experience in the streets and neighborhoods that I explore.
SSTK: Such important work! Let’s talk stock. What do you think of stock photography today? Not just Shutterstock but stock photography in general.
Cavalhier: I believe we are moving towards a more diverse and representative future in photography. Initiatives like this (Create Fund) are expanding the space so that more people, communities, and cultures are represented. This is essential because the diversity of the images allows more voices to be heard and varied stories to be told.
Photography has the power to break stereotypes and show different social realities. And with images that reflect the richness of cultures, ethnicities, and human experiences, we manage to create a collection that truly dialogues with the plurality of society.
This change is very important, not only for content creators but also for those who consume these images because they see themselves represented. I believe that this evolution enriches the photography market as a whole and opens new opportunities for everyone involved.
SSTK: How has The Create Fund impacted you?
Cavalhier: The Create Fund has had a significant and positive impact on my life, both personally and professionally. It provided me with new perspectives and opened up possibilities that I had not previously imagined for my work.
In addition to expanding my knowledge and skills, the project also connected me to a network of professionals who share experiences and visions. This exchange of ideas has been enriching, and inspired me to explore new approaches in photography.
I am very pleased with all the support that has strengthened the team during this period of meetings, so thanks for everything.
License this cover image via Raimundo Cavalhier.
This post was originally published onNovember 6, 2024
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