Once in front of the camera, now behind it—meet latinx model-turned-photographer Edwin Vargas. Born in San Jose, Costa Rica, Vargas infuses an air of tropical vibrancy into his images, utilizing exotic flowers as props or producing recreations of nature as the back-drop for his bold, neon-hued compositions. From Panama to Mexico and the United States, Vargas’ photography has continued to gain international recognition, landing him clients such as Facebook, Wilhelmina Models, Carolina Herrera, Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel and Kenneth Cole, among others. Now based in Oakland, California, Vargas’ vivid, chromatic aesthetic has captured the attention of the local community, earning him exhibitions at Instagram headquarters and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. In addition to his photography, Vargas is a cinematographer and documentarian, applying his unique perspective to the moving image. Beyond his work behind the lens, Vargas is focused on the empowerment of Black women and the advancement of LGBTQIA+ rights, serving as a diversity committee member for the non-profit organization American Photographic Artists.
