about rico x.
rico x. is a Black documentary photographer and commercial pilot. He's self-taught, grew up in South London with roots in Grenada, and his day job is flying the Boeing 787 as an airline captain. When he's not on the flight deck, he's out photographing Black and Brown people around the world, showing them the way they deserve to be seen.
Fair warning: he's not your fine-art-educated type. No waffle, no pretence, and you definitely won't need a dictionary to figure out what he's on about. He's a visual guy, says it how it is, runs with a partial filter, and yeah, the odd f-bomb does slip out.
Commercial pilot turned documentary photographer
He was born in 1986, a proper eighties baby. At 18 he started flight training and picked up his first camera around the same time. It was a little compact digital, the kind you took on nights out and holidays. Nothing arty, just memories.
At 21 he landed a cadet spot on the Boeing 737 in London and kept snapping as he went: mates, airports, and cities between flights, sim sessions and holidays. By 23 he was one of the youngest 737 Synthetic Flight Instructors in the world. Photography was still just a side ting.
At 26 he qualified as a Type Rating Instructor and moved to the Middle East to fly the 777. That's when the camera started coming out more. And like every good origin story, there was a girl. They started shooting together properly, and she's the one who talked him into his first DSLR, a Nikon.
At 30 he made captain, and he went on to become one of the youngest 777 and 787 captains around. The girl eventually left the picture, but the camera stuck around, and that's when things really took off.
A Black photographer telling real stories
From 2016 he got serious. More travel, more shooting, and a lot of figuring out what kind of photographer he actually wanted to be. In 2020 he got connected with photo consultant Christina Force, who used to be at Saatchi & Saatchi, and they've worked together ever since.
What he's about is simple: photograph Black and Brown people in a good light. He's not interested in trauma or poverty shots made to win awards. He shoots real people getting on with life, whether that's putting food on the table, hustling in business, or just being proud of who they are. That gets him into stories with real truth and dignity in them, the kind that knock down tired old stereotypes.
Where the camera's taken him
So far he's been to more than 90 countries and shot in nearly 20 African nations. He's photographed bullfighting rings in the Middle East and tracked gorillas through Uganda's jungle at 2,500 metres. He lost his shoes on a boiling Namibian sand dune, chased orangutans and pygmy elephants down the rivers of Borneo, and zip-lined over Costa Rica's rainforest at heights he'd rather not think about. He's climbed Machu Picchu, wandered the lost city of Petra and then floated in the Dead Sea, flown in helicopters over active volcanoes, and taken in the view from 10,000 metres through the cockpit windows of hundreds of aircraft.
Kamoinge, awards and the rest
From March 2024 to December 2025, rico x. was a full member of Kamoinge, the legendary collective of Black photographers in the US. He was one of the first members based outside America. That's the same collective as Roy DeCarava, Adger Cowans, Ming Smith, Jamel Shabazz, Anthony Barboza, Salimah Ali, Ruddy Roye, Eli Reed of Magnum Photos, and Toni Parks, Gordon Parks' daughter. Not bad company.
Back in the UAE, the Ministry of Culture and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority both recommended him for a 10-year Golden Visa as a creative in culture and the arts.
He's been nominated for the Prix Pictet and has picked up more than 50 wins, finalist spots, shortlistings and honourable mentions at international awards. Those include BJP Open Walls in Arles, the British Photography Awards, Xposure, Head On in Sydney, the International Photography Awards, the Arte Laguna Prize in Venice, and Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year.
Quick facts
Name: rico x.
What he does: Black documentary photographer and commercial pilot (Boeing 787 captain)
Background: Self-taught; from South London with Grenadian roots; born 1986
Focus: Documentary photography of Black and Brown communities worldwide
Travel: 90+ countries, including nearly 20 in Africa
Kamoinge: Full member, March 2024 to December 2025
Recognition: Prix Pictet nominee; 50+ international award placements
press + exhibitions + awards
publications & press
pilot to pilot - magazine (usa) - dec 2025 - click here
wepresent by wetransfer - online (netherlands) - jul 2025 - click here
British Journal of Photography (Bjp) - magazine (UK) - Dec 2024 - click here
digital photographer - magazine (UK) - Dec 2023 - CLICK HERE
digital photographer - magazine (UK) - Aug 2023 - CLICK HERE
THE guardian - newspaper (UK) - may 2023 - CLICK HERE
THE NATIONAL - NEWSPAPER (UAE) - MAY 2023 - CLICK HERE
EURONEWS - ONLINE - MAY 2023 - CLICK HERE
AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHY - ONLINE (AUSTRALIA) - MAY 2023 - CLICK HERE
AAP Magazine - Issue 25 - Black and White - Jun 2022 - click here
Amateur Photographer - issue premium edition - apr 2022 - click here
exhibitions
current / future - exhibitions
check again in 5 minutes, if nothing in 5 minutes, read this sentence again.
past - exhibitions
xposure - “xposure international photography festival 2024 - international awards - at “expo centre sharjah” - al taawun street, al khan area, sharjah, united Arab emirates - 28th feb - 5th mar 2024 (image: two by two)
Les Rencontres d’Arles - “British Journal of Photography - OpenWalls Arles Vol.4 (Theme: Truth)” at “Galerie Huit Arles” - 8, rue de la Calade 13200 Arles, France - 5th Jul - 23rd Sept 2023 (Story: Sadio mane, who?)
Pink Lady® FOOD AWARDS - “Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2023” at “the Royal Photographic Society” - 337 Paintworks, Arnos Vale, Bristol, BS4 3AR, UNited kingdom - 20th MAY - 11th jun 2023 (image: two by two)
The Holy Art Gallery - Open Theme at “The Holy Art London” - The Factory, THE HOLY ART LONDON, 21-31 Shacklewell LN, London, E8 2DA, United Kingdom - 2nd jun - 11th jun 2023 (STORY: Mint sauce, Sadio mane, who? & Look mummy, no hands, no hands!)
Arte Laguna Prize - “Arte Laguna Prize - 17th edition - photographic art section” - Arte Laguna Prize - Art Exhibition, Sestiere Castello, 6611, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy - 11th Mar - 16th Apr 2023 (STORY: the stubborn boys)
THE HOLY ART GALLERY - “THE HOLY ART FAIR OXO TOWER” - OXO TOWER, BARGEHOUSE, LONDON, SE1 9PH, United Kingdom 30TH MAR - 2ND APR 2023 (STORY: Mint sauce, Sadio mane, who? & Look mummy, no hands, no hands!)
ART Basel Miami - Miami Street Photography Festival 2022 - Singles Contest finalist at “HistoryMiami Museum” - HistoryMiami Museum (a Smithsonian Affiliate) 101 west flagler street, Miami, florida, 33130, united states of america - 1st Dec 2022 - 8th Jan 2023 (image: Two by two)
Head On Photo Festival 2022 - PHOTO AWARDS 2022 - LANDSCAPE photographer of the year FINALIST Bondi Beach Promenade, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW, 2026, Australia - 4th Nov - 4th dec 2022 (STORY: WHO LEFT THE BLOODY LIGHTS ON - erbil, iraq)
Head On Photo Festival 2022 - “107 Projects - Redfern” - 107 Redfern St, Redfern, Sydney, NSW 2016, AUSTRALIA - 10th - 19th NOV 2022 (STORY: the stubborn boys)
PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - State of the World 2022 at “Espace Beaurepaire” 28 Rue Beaurepaire, 75010, Paris, France - 1st - 6th Nov 2022 - (STORY: Until you walk a mile in my…)
The Holy Art Gallery - Open Theme at “The Holy Art London” - The Factory, THE HOLY ART LONDON, 21-31 Shacklewell LN, London, E8 2DA, United Kingdom - 21st - 30th OCT 2022 (STORY: Impressing InviSIBLE Girls)
BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - 2021 Winners Exhibition at the "House of Lucie Budapest” Falk Miksa u. 30, 1055, Budapest, hungary - Feb 2022 - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on - Seoul, south korea)
2025 – awards (another year of essential admin and projects)
HIPA (Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award) - Black & White Category - POWER - Finalist
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People - Street Photography - Official Selection (Finalist)
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People -Street Photography - Honorable Mention
Head On Photo Festival - Head On Awards - EXPOSURE - Finalist
Nominated by the UAE Ministry of Culture (Abu Dhabi) for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa under the category ‘Creative People in the Field of Culture and Art.’
Nominated by Dubai Culture & Arts Authority for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa under the ‘Cultural Visa for Creative and Talented Artists and Creators’ category.
2024 – awards (the year of essential admin and projects)
Prix Pictet 2025 - storm - nominated
bpa (British Photography Awards) - Sport - Shortlisted
bpa (British Photography Awards) - Street - Shortlisted
xposure - (xposure international photography festival) - street (category winner) - 1st place
formally accepted as a member into kamoinge
2023 – awards
BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - Events - Sport - Gold
BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - People - Life Style - Bronze
Eyeshot - Open Call (Series) - Semi-Finalist
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Event / Competitive Event - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Event / Competitive Event - Official Selection
British Journal of Photography - OpenWalls Arles Vol.4 2023 (Theme: Truth) - Singles Winner
Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - winner
Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - 2nd place
Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - commended place (Honorable Mention)
Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - Food in field - finalist
Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - Food in field - commended place (Honorable Mention)
Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - world food programme food for life - commended place (Honorable Mention)
All About Photo Awards 2023 - particular merit mention (finalist)
SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist
SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist
monochrome awards - Street / Professional - Honorable Mention
monochrome awards - Portrait / Professional - Honorable Mention
2022 – awards
Diversify Photo - Photo of the Year 2022 (MAY) - Selected (image: Two By Two)
All About Photo - AAP MAGAZINE #25 Black & White - 2nd Place Winner
Miami Street Photography Festival - Singles Contest - finalist (exhibition)
Head On Photo Festival - Head On Awards - LANDSCAPE photographer of the year - Finalist
All About Photo - AAP MAGAZINE #28 STREETS - FINAL ROUND
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Environmental - Official Selection (Finalist)
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story - Official Selection (Finalist)
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story - Official Selection (Finalist)
PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - State of the World - Curatorial Selection (Exhibition Selection)
PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - State of the World - Shortlist (Finalist)
PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Special / Others Special - Silver
MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Winner - People / Lifestyle - Gold
MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Winner - People / Lifestyle - Silver
MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Winner - Science / Environment - Bronze
MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Editorial / General News - Honorable Mention
The Independent Photographer - Landscape Photo Award 2022 - Editor’s Pick
All About Photo Awards 2022 - final ROUND
Smithsonian Magazine 19th Annual Photo Contest - Shortlisted - “People” Category
SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist
SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist
SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist
SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist
2021 – awards
BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - Category Winner Nature-Aerial - 1st Place
BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - Winner Nature-Aerial - Gold
BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - Winner Science-Environment - Gold
TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Nature-Aerial - Official Selection
TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Nature-Pets - Official Selection
TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Portfolio-Fine Art - Official Selection
TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Winner Nature-Pets – Bronze
TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Nature-Aerial - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Children - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Nature-Wildlife - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - Special-Night Photography - Honorable Mention
PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Press / Other - Gold
PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Nature / Earth - Gold
PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Special / Night Photography - Silver
PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Special / Street Photography - Silver
Life Framer - Open Call - Finalist
MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Winner - Nature-Aerial - BRONZE
MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - People-Children - Honorable Mention
2020 - awards
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Street Photography - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Street Photography - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Street Photography - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Street Photography - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People -Street Photography - Honorable Mention
IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Traditions / Culture - Honorable Mention
pre 2020 - awards
2019
wait, what, there are photography awards?!
2018
Ok, one more year, then we jack this shit in!
2017
amateur mode
2016
amateur mode
2015
amateur mode
2014
amateur mode
rico’s gear
leica q3 - Rico thinks he is better than god himself
fujifilm - instax mini 11 - giving shit back
Nikon D850 - miss chunky but funky