Scenes of Belonging: Joel Alencar’s Brazil
Joel Alencar was born in São Francisco de Assis do Piauí, a small town of 5,000 people tucked into Brazil’s arid northeast. The land is harsh—defined by relentless droughts and water scarcity—but it is also rich with cultural resilience. “I grew up in a region marked by long droughts and many difficulties,” he recalls. “The people there face the blazing sun, hunger, and the hardness of life with dignity and pride in their roots.”
Raised by his grandmother until the age of 18, Joel spent his early years immersed in the rural rhythms of planting, animal care, and quiet contemplation. “My family doesn’t have an artistic background, but my grandmother always encouraged me to draw and read,” he remembers. “The environment I grew up in, rich in folk culture, influenced me deeply.”
Joel’s childhood shaped his gaze—appreciating resistance, the beauty in the struggle and simplicity. “Since I was a child, I loved drawing, watching documentaries, and dreamed of becoming an artist and seeing the world. Life took me down other paths—into the corporate world—and I set those dreams aside. I always wanted a camera, but it was too expensive. In 2023, at age 30, I finally decided to buy my first one.”
“Since then I’ve immersed myself in that universe: books, videos, exhibitions.” He began photographing landscapes and birds, but it didn’t take long before his heart pulled him toward the streets.
Today, he focuses on street photography and scenes from everyday life. “That’s where my heart beats strongest.”
Joel started out by consuming online content and connecting with other photographers. “I began as a self-taught photographer, learning through the internet, books, and exchanges with other photographers. In 2024, I started a photography course, which I’ll complete in 2025.”
His style blends documentary impulses with a poetic sensibility.
“For me, photography is empowerment, memory, and resistance. I aim for photography that draws the viewer in—that translates the connection and closeness I felt with what I captured. I’m drawn to cultural themes, everyday life, communities, and territories. Social issues that provoke reflection also move me. I want my images to convey soul, poetry, and a deep sense of belonging.”
Reflecting on challenges in the industry, Joel says it’s hard to get noticed without a portfolio. Cultural undervaluation is another hurdle he mentions, “especially in a politically polarized environment where the arts have been dismantled in recent years. On the other hand, it’s rewarding to be part of collectives, workshops, and networks of support among photographers.”
When it comes to preparation, Joel’s process is simple: “I assess the safety of the area and try to understand the context, especially if it’s new to me. I organize my gear and often use wide-angle lenses, which bring me physically closer to people and encourage interaction. I try to capture connections through light and shadow, and create images that speak of memory, pride, and belonging.”
Returning to his hometown as a photographer was a recent turning point.
“This year I returned to my hometown for the first time as a photographer. It was very special to document my family, the street markets, the roads—to talk to people I had grown up with but never truly heard before. I visited a rural community that has been fighting for years for access to electricity. I entered homes, listened to stories, and photographed the reality shaped by broken promises.”
One encounter especially stood out—two brothers in a rural village who, after a brief conversation, lifted a goat into their arms for a photo.
“During that visit to the rural community, I photographed two brothers who lived in the last house in the village. After talking, they stepped outside and lifted a goat in their arms. That scene instantly took me back to my childhood—I have a photo holding a little goat, just like them. That image reignited my passion for documenting daily life, especially in Brazil’s northeast.”
In terms of works in progress and future ones, Joel is contemplating projects connected to memory.
“One project I’m developing focuses on the migration route from the Northeast to São Paulo. I took that bus trip myself when I left my hometown, and I repeated it this year while photographing. I’m still refining the images, but I want to turn it into a tribute to the “retiradas”—the mass departures from the interior toward the southeast in search of opportunity.”
Traveling outside Brazil, Joel found inspiration in new landscapes and people.
“I traveled to Peru this year and made a small photo book of personal memories. That experience sparked a desire to explore more of Latin America and tell stories of our people.”
While visiting Peru’s Sacred Valley, he captured a woman standing alone, gazing into the distance. After initially photographing her from afar, he returned to ask for a portrait up close.
“She gave me a smile so genuine it touched me deeply. Since then, I make more of an effort to speak to the people I photograph—to create a true connection.”
Joel also took part in a retreat in the Bahian backlands with photographer João Machado.
“I met amazing photographers. This led to the beginning of a collective zine and a hub to give visibility to documentary photographers from Brazil’s northeast. I also joined a workshop mapping the erasure of Black presence in an eastern São Paulo neighborhood—a project that may become an exhibition. I’m also a co-founder of Coletivo Rua Brasil, which promotes street photography across the country.”
As for highlights of 2024, he shares ,“ I started my photography course and took part in my first exhibitions through open calls at festivals in São Paulo, Paranapiacaba, and Paraty em Foco. The trip to Peru was also a highlight. This year, I want to keep improving, gain more visibility, discover new inspirations, and collaborate on more collective projects.”
Looking ahead, Joel’s dream is to travel the world, using photography to tell human stories. “I want to immerse myself in each culture and create real, meaningful connections.”
His advice to aspiring photographers? “Photograph everything, all the time. Experiment until you find your voice. Don’t box yourself into one style—you can love nature photography and still fall in love with street photography. Don’t compare yourself to those who’ve been on the path longer. Get inspired, talk, and learn from those who came before you. Not everyone will be kind, but many will lend a hand.”
To Learn More Visit:
Soledad Quartucci, CEO, Latina Republic
Latina Republic envisions a world where the beauty and resilience of Latin American and Caribbean cultures are recognized and appreciated globally. By amplifying the voices of artists and cultural custodians, we strive to cultivate a deeper understanding of the region’s challenges and triumphs. Our goal is to inspire greater appreciation for the arts as a tool for empathy, unity, and transformative social change. Through our work, we aim to equip all stakeholders with essential insights for addressing regional challenges, ultimately enriching the global cultural landscape and portraying the victories and hardships of everyday life in Latin America.
