Dear photographer !

I invite you to explore with me a beautiful corner of Brazil: Ilha do Ouro, located in Sergipe, the smallest state in the northeast of the country.

I will take you to the “Golden Island,” Ilha do Ouro, a place off the beaten path, far from beaches and carnival.

Despite its name, it’s not actually an island, but a charming rural village in the Brazilian Sertão, nestled along the banks of the São Francisco River — a vast waterway affectionately known as Velho Chico (Old Francis!) by the locals.

And it doesn’t have gold … but it holds true treasures — both scenic and human — with a history of land struggles for over 20 years.

It is on these “treasures” that each participant will craft their own personal photographic journey.

With this photography trip — one that goes beyond stereotypes — I will share my passion for this land and its people. Starting from Sergipe’s capital, Aracaju, we will fully immerse ourselves in the local culture through the warm hospitality of the families in Ilha do Ouro.

We will meet a variety of people: small farmers, ranchers, fishermen, local leaders and simple persons.

We will spend a day navigating the majestic São Francisco River, taking photographs and refreshing ourselves. We’ll photograph a typical northeastern market in the town of Porto da Folha. From Ilha do Ouro, we will connect with the Mocambo community (a Quilombo inhabited by descendants of enslaved people) and the indigenous community of Ilha de São Pedro.

We will absorb the essence of this great land, the Sertão — a literary theme celebrated by great writers like Jorge Amado and Graciliano Ramos — and at the end … we won’t want to leave.

This journey is not just another “photography trip.” It will be a unique photographic and human experience, where emotions and relationships with people will be central to your images and your soul.

My connection with the locals and my professional photographic experience will help you:

• Build a deep and unforgettable bond with the people;

• Understand the socioeconomic dynamics of a rural region;

• Appreciate a rural culture that is gradually decreasing due to urban migration;

• Grow both photographically and personally;

• Create a unique and unforgettable photographic project.

What type of photographs will we take?

Ilha do Ouro is a small village with just a few hundred people, nestled along the banks of the majestic Velho Chico River. It is a place of scenic richness, contemplative beauty, unique humanity, and historical significance, as it was the site of a land conflict four decades ago. Among its residents are fishermen, farmers, and some who, unfortunately, are unemployed.

Each participant, hosted by a local family, will develop their own photographic approach. You may focus on environmental portraits, agricultural and river landscapes, or various aspects of daily life (rural activities, the market, domestic tasks, or childhood scenes). Alternatively, you could choose a more personal or poetic perspective.

Once the group is formed, we will hold a virtual meeting via Zoom to prepare for the trip from both a practical and sociocultural, as well as photographic, standpoint. I will answer your questions and address any concerns.

Vamos?