Photography for Ayzoh!
Images that empower, protect, and create change.
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At Ayzoh!, photography is more than a medium: it’s a bridge that connects, reveals, and elevates. While many use images to compete for prizes or acclaim, we reject the idea that human conditions should be ranked or judged. Our work isn’t meant for critics or juries; it’s meant for the communities we document, for the people whose stories we tell. They are the true heroes. For us, it’s their voice, their perspective, that matters. Our place is always one step behind, allowing those we photograph to be at the center.

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Photography as a Humanistic Endeavor

Our approach to photography is deeply humanistic—it is a call to unity, not division; to dialogue, not discord; to uniqueness, not uniformity. We see photography as an act of resistance, a counterculture, and a defiant stance against a world that too often prioritizes self-interest over solidarity. It is a means of giving voice to the voiceless, and of bringing light into hidden corners.

We are not interested in conforming to trends or standards; we are interested in evoking the timeless truths of human connection. For us, photography is an invocation: a creative force that brings value and beauty to the world.

It is the friendship that forms through shared experiences, the gratitude for those who welcome us into their lives and homes. It is an unending quest for meaning, not as a single truth, but as a shared, evolving understanding born of exchange and dialogue.

Community Photography: a Collective Vision

In the hands of Ayzoh!, photography becomes a communal act. It is not the domain of a lone expert, but a collaborative effort where multiple voices come together to tell a collective story.

We involve children, adolescents, and adults from all walks of life in our projects, regardless of their technical skills. Everyone has a role, everyone contributes, and no single viewpoint dominates.

Our professional photographers and consultants — Elisa Amati, Claudio Maria Lerario, Dorin Mihai, Warren Sare, Giulia Zhang — work alongside community members to produce these narratives.

They provide technical guidance and help facilitate the participatory process, but they are also participants themselves. The outcome is a tapestry of images that reflect diverse perspectives, all in dialogue with each other.

Photography’s Role in Empowering Communities

Photography can be a powerful catalyst for change in small communities. It preserves cultural heritage, captures unique identities, raises awareness about social issues, and creates opportunities for growth.

Preserving cultural heritage. Photography can immortalize a community’s traditions, practices, and lifestyles, preserving them for future generations. It can help maintain cultural continuity and connect people to their roots.

Building a sense of identity. By highlighting a community’s unique attributes, photography can foster pride and a stronger sense of belonging. It showcases the strength and contributions of the community to the larger society.

Raising awareness. Photographs can spotlight social issues that might otherwise be ignored or overlooked. They draw attention to challenges that need addressing.

Promoting social change. Photography can inspire action by presenting compelling narratives. It can galvanize communities and encourage social transformation.

Creating opportunities. Photography programs can educate and train community members, particularly the youth, opening pathways to careers in arts, media, and communication.

A Different Approach to Credits

Our photographic works are always signed collectively, reflecting the spirit of shared authorship that defines Ayzoh!. Whether it’s an award-winning photographer or a child from the street, all names are acknowledged where possible.

However, we do not specify who took which photograph. This anonymity emphasizes that every image is part of a larger, shared narrative. For us, what matters is not individual recognition, but the stories we create together.

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About Manifesto
About Origins
About Trust
About Words
About Movement
About Team

Stories from the blog

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Echoes of Ancestral Winds
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Hope Cathedral
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Penzi: A Labor of Love
I met Guadalupe Alvarez in Lalibela, Ethiopia, during the war. The town was tense, the air thick with fear, and then — there she was. A woman from Mexico. Alone. Calm. Fully present. She wasn’t a journalist. She wasn’t on assignment. She was just there....
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Afar Textiles: Time, Craft, and the Future of Ethical Design
At Ayzoh!, we don’t choose sponsors based on money. We choose them based on values. AFAR Textiles is not just a supporter of our work — it’s a company that reflects the principles we try to live by every day: dignity in labor, beauty rooted in the...
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Ayzoh! Ethiopia Tours was born
A new travel agency rooted in the spirit of Ayzoh! and in the countless social, photographic, and editorial projects we’ve carried out across Ethiopia. To bring it to life, we trusted Amlaku — a tour operator with over 20 years of experience and a brother...
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Walking Two Worlds
At Ayzoh!, we are honored to welcome Yacciry into our community of storytellers, travelers, and cultural guardians. Her presence reminds us that the future is not a single path forward—but a weaving together of deep roots, scientific clarity, and a radical...

Latest Publications

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Somos / Pueblo Ancestral Viviente
"Somos" is a call to listen, to witness, and to act. Created in deep collaboration with Maya communities across Guatemala, this project amplifies ancestral voices that have long been silenced, distorted, or ignored. At its heart lies the Popol Wuj, the...
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Biblioteca Comunitaria El Rosario
El Rosario is a photo book and a tribute to a grassroots library in Oaxaca, Mexico. Created with the community of Santa Catarina Minas, it celebrates literacy, biodiversity, and collective imagination. All proceeds support the library and its partner...
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Je Suis la Rue
Discover the vibrant streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, through the eyes of talented youth who transform urban spaces into creative playgrounds. Ayzoh! established the Centre Photographique de Ouagadougou (CPO), an inclusive photography center empowering...
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Visit Awra Amba
Awra Amba, a visionary community in Ethiopia, challenges conventional norms by promoting equality, peace, and sustainability. As global ambassadors, Ayzoh! shares their inspiring story through an illuminating photographic book and dedicated website, highlighting...
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Isegran
An intimate homage to the maritime community of Isegran, Norway, this book celebrates the profound connection between humans and the sea. Explore themes of love, tradition, craftsmanship, and passion, reflecting on the sea’s timeless ability to unite...
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Dialogo Silenzioso: the Book
Dance meets Ethiopia’s ancestral rhythms in "Dialogo Silenzioso," a compelling visual narrative commissioned by the Ethiopian Embassy in Italy. Ayzoh! created this book and traveling multimedia exhibition, celebrating dance as a universal language and...

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