"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 sacred narrative of the Maya, whose teachings still guide the struggle for dignity, autonomy, and justice.

Through honest visual storytelling and respectful communication, Somos connects the Maya people's contemporary realities with global struggles—from land sovereignty and environmental defense to the fight for education, healthcare, and housing in underserved communities everywhere.
A powerful glimpse into “Camp Erech,” Ayzoh!’s acclaimed exhibit during Milan Design Week. This video showcases the photographs telling the story of a desert community in Adrar, Mauritania. Projected on giant city screens throughout the week, the images reached over a million people—bringing a distant world into Milan’s urban heartbeat.
"Daimon" emerged spontaneously during Ayzoh!’s exhibition at Milan Design Week, from an unexpected encounter between photographers Giulia Zhang and Claudio Maria Lerario and dancers Claudio Gasparotto and Silvia Ferraris. This striking collaboration captures movement, spontaneity, and artistic synergy.
Filmed between Bahia and Rome, this poetic documentary honors Angela Altieri McDonald (1963–2010)—a visionary writer and the soul behind Ayzoh!’s creation. Her bold spirit and support sparked the dream that became Ayzoh! in 2008. This tribute celebrates her enduring energy, and the women who continue to inspire across continents.
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 us all.
Founded by Alice and Veronique Ouedraogo, Tissia empowers disadvantaged women in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, through microcredit, literacy, and social programs. Supported by Ayzoh!, Tissia expanded in 2019 with a thriving textile workshop, weaving freedom and opportunity for local women.
"I am because we are." Guided by the Ubuntu philosophy, Ayzoh! partnered with former street children in Hawassa, Ethiopia, to create pinhole cameras and document their lives. This book supports their ongoing journey toward education and independence, showcasing the collective strength inherent in humanity.
Drawing on Ayzoh!’s extensive field experience, this practical handbook provides thoughtful reflections and ethical guidelines for responsibly using photography in African contexts. Specifically crafted for the Vadoinafrica community of over 15,000 members, it encourages respectful storytelling and engagement.
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 vibrant expression of contemporary Ethiopian culture.
Journey to Camp Erech near Mauritania’s Toungad oasis through the vivid photographs of Giulia Zhang and Claudio Maria Lerario. This special collection immerses you in the daily life of Yahya, his family, and their tight-knit desert community. It’s part of Ayzoh!’s broader editorial initiative supporting Camp Erech and its residents.
Small-scale farming is humanity’s timeless connection to Earth, sustaining communities across borders and generations. Ayzoh!’s "Terra" project supports farmers challenging industrial agriculture, advocating for sustainable methods that honor tradition and promote social and ecological justice.
Each June, Pennabilli, Italy, transforms into Europe’s capital of performing arts during "Artisti in Piazza." Ayzoh! captures this vibrant festival visually, documenting international artists and engaging thousands of spectators who become integral to the unforgettable performances.

Stories from the blog

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Echoes of Ancestral Winds
Ayzoh!’s workshops are more than technical training or guided travel. They are invitations to experience the world from the inside out—to observe, listen, feel, and connect in ways that transcend photography, language, or even intention. Each journey...
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Hope Cathedral
Hope Cathedral is an interfaith and environmentally focused art project located in Fredrikstad. Built on a 120 m² wooden barge, the structure takes architectural inspiration from traditional Norwegian stave churches. Its 300 m² roof is made from recycled...
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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...
Isegran-01
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...
dialogo-silenzioso-001
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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