Photographers From Guatemala You Should Know

Guatemala is known for its magnificent volcanic landscape, compelling Mayan culture and beautifully preserved colonial buildings. It’s hardly surprising that such a dramatic setting would be inspirational, and some of Latin America’s most renowned photographers hail from this small Central American country. Here are some Guatemalan photographers you should know.

Luis González Palma

Born in 1957 in Guatemala City, Luis González Palma is a postmodern Guatemalan photographer. He studied architecture and cinematography before turning to photography, and since 1989 has displayed his work in over 58 exhibitions in America and Europe. Palma is of mixed European and indigenous heritage, and his work often focuses on the plight of the Mayans in Guatemala (although some critics have branded his photography exploitative). Palma’s work uses symbolism, collage and layering. In his portraits he often uses a sepia tint everywhere but the whites of the eyes, which serves to intensify the gaze.

Juan José de Jesús Yas

María Cristina Orive

María Cristina Orive is a Guatemalan photographer who has worked extensively as a photojournalist and is known for founding the publishing house La Azotea. Born in 1931, she began her career in France and Spain before moving to South America, where she photographed Eva Perón and the funeral of Juan Perón. Orive founded La Azotea publishing house when she was just 30, and has been known for championing the work of many Latin American photographers, particularly women; she published the works of Annemarie Heinrich, Grete Stern and Adriana Lestido early on in their careers.

Alberto G. Valveavellano

Born in Guatemala City in 1861, Alberto G. Valveavellano is considered Guatemala’s first landscape and sports photographer. As a child he had a talent for painting and drawing (he was known for sketching his classmates and teacher while in class), and as he grew up he applied this talent to photographic techniques. He made a name for himself taking portraits of local socialites, and his work was published on a biweekly basis in the La Ilustración Guatemalteca.

Carlos Lopez-Barillas

Carlos Lopez-Barillas is perhaps Guatemala’s best known and most celebrated modern photographer. Born in Guatemala City, Lopez-Barillas began his career as a fashion photographer for the magazine Amiga. He then became a news photographer for Prensa Libre and the Associated Press (AP) before moving to Europe in 1996 and becoming independent. He is regularly featured in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Boston Globe and has covered the conflict in Northern Ireland, the Zapatista rebel uprising in Mexico, and several armed conflicts in Central America. In 1994 Lopez-Barillas received a replica of the Nobel Peace Prize medal for his documentary work.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.