Marta Azevedo

Marta Azevedo is a photographer whose work is deeply influenced by the rich Black culture that surrounded her during her upbringing in the Madureira suburb of Rio de Janeiro. Immersed in the traditions of Jongo, Umbanda, and Samba, Marta naturally gravitated towards capturing the beauty and diversity of Black culture in her personal photography projects.

In 2003, she initially experimented with natural light and traditional poses but felt the results were too conventional. After moving to the United States in 2004 and marrying artist Steve Vanek, Marta radically transformed her style. She began incorporating Afro-Brazilian and African cultural elements, such as straw, clay, and beads, with a strong focus on facial expressions. Her project expanded to include African American subjects as well, earning her numerous awards and recognition. Marta’s work celebrates the diversity and beauty of Black culture, establishing her as a distinguished photographer in the field.