Who I am
I was born in the Year of the Dragon, 1988, in Belo Horizonte - the big, messy, beautiful capital of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Minas is known for it's abundant, delicious and unique food, which many consider the best in the country. I might be a little bit biased but I wholeheartedly agree with it.
My parents separated when I was younger and I grew up with my brother, sister and cousins playing all sorts of games, catching insects in the garden, watching various series and trying to stay out of trouble - which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't.
I've never been rebellious just for the sake of it, but I've always asked "why"?
I think there are so many things in this world that are the way they are simply because we've accepted that "that's the way it is". I love Brazil, but as I grew up and became more "myself" I felt like there were so many ways that I was "supposed to be" that just didn't feel right. I didn't want to drink most nights and pledge my allegiance to the local soccer team. I didn't want my mum or girlfriend to cook every meal for me. I didn't want to compete for the best new shoes or the coolest new car. I wanted to live simply, and I wanted to feel free.
When I moved to Australia in 2016, I was searching for some kind of reconnection and rediscovery of myself. I think we all need to explore the depths of who we are, so we can become more of it. I swapped my camera for an apron and have been studying cooking and working in kitchens for the last eight years.
I've also learnt how to surf, which has become a physical and spiritual practice - it helps me connect with something bigger than myself. Maybe it's simply the beauty and power of nature, maybe it's god. Or maybe it's the truth of who I am, when my mind gets really quiet and my body moves with the waves.
Coming back to photography - in my own time and in my own way - felt like coming back to myself. When I was working as a fashion photographer in Brazil, I felt like I had to dress the photos up to look the most polished and perfect they could be. Now, when I look through the lens, all I want is to document things and people exactly as they are. To help them tell their story, and to show them in their most true form.
Photos by Holly English
Photography as part of my life
Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a young kid I've been amazed by colour, light and shapes in photographs, and have felt most comfortable looking at life through a camera lens.
I also believe we are constantly healing. Photography is a therapeutic experience for me - it allows me to silence my mind, be present, observe attentively, feel my true nature and connect with the world. So, when I'm shooting photos, I want the experience of healing to reverberate in every moment - for the model I'm working with and for whoever views the photo(s) as well.
I've worked as a photographer in the fashion and magazine world, wedding industry and for school and personal portraits. But now, my most treasured work is fine art nude photography, surf & nature, buildings & street photography and traditional Brazilian cuisine.
For me, all these passion projects have one common thread - I'm documenting life as it is, as it happens. It's about capturing the essence and energy of a moment that might have otherwise been missed. It's about deep respect and appreciation for all life on earth.
Awards
Academic Excellence Award (2009)
Awarded photographer (1x.com, 2024, 2025)
Curated online galleries
1x.com (2024, 2025)
ModelSociety.com (2024, 2025)
Live exhibitions
Nudes on TAP, Sydney 2024
Publications
Fotografe Melhor Magazine (2010)
Tribus Magazine (2011)
Fotografia DG (2010, 2014)
Psicodelia Magazine (2015)
Trancentral TV (2017)
University Qualifications - Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Degree in Graphic Design - Universidade UNI - with top honors (2009)
Post-graduate degree in Photography - Centro Universitário UNA (2012)
Specialist Qualifications - Escola de Imagem, Brazil (2011)
Certificate in Photography and Image
Certificate in Light and Composition
Certificate in Studio Photography
Certificate in Modeling Outdoors
Certificate in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
"I had the best time working with Flávio. He's a highly skilled photographer, and brings a warm and relaxed energy. I was impressed by the level of preparation and planning he put into our shoot. We had lots of space for creative ideas and flow and the results speak for themselves. I highly recommend working with Flávio if you get the chance!"
- Mieka Muse