about rico x.

Rico X. is not your fine-art educated type. He’s self-taught—no waffle, no pretence, and no need for literary enigma machines like dictionaries or thesauruses to decode his work/writings.

His roots stretch from the Caribbean island of Grenada to South London, and he’s spent the last 12 years hiding from the sun in the Middle East. He’s highly visual, direct in speech, operates with a partial filter, and, if we’re being honest, isn’t shy about dropping the occasional f-bomb.

His goal has always been to capture Black and Brown people in a positive light—no ‘Pulitzer’-winning images of trauma, pain, poverty, handouts, or bloodshed. Instead, he focuses on the everyday lives of people working to put food on the table for themselves and their loved ones—the real world. Through his photography, he gains access to authentic stories of resilience and positivity, challenging stereotypes and showcasing proud, culturally diverse, hard-working communities.

Rico’s sleuth-like approach has taken him into vastly different worlds—from witnessing bullfighting in the Middle East to trekking through forests at 2,500 metres to photograph gorillas in Uganda; from the sand dunes of Namibia, where he literally lost his shoes as the glue melted in the desert heat, to speeding down rivers in Borneo in search of orangutans and pygmy elephants. He’s ventured to the heights of Machu Picchu in Peru and the lows of the Dead Sea in Jordan after exploring the ancient city of Petra. His personal work has also taken him high above the ground, helicoptering over one of the world’s top five most active volcanoes and viewing the world from 10,000 metres through the cockpits of hundreds of aircraft.

He has visited over 90 countries, photographed in nearly 20 African nations, and is an active member of Kamoinge—the legendary, historic, US-based all-Black photography collective whose past and present members include icons such as Adger Cowans, Salimah Ali, Jamel Shabazz, Roy DeCarava, Eli Reed, Ruddy Roye, and Ming Smith. He has been nominated for prestigious awards like the Prix Pictet while also a winner, finalist, shortlisted, or honourably mentioned over 50 times in international awards, including BJP Open Walls in Arles, Xposure, the British Photography Awards, Head On Photo Festival in Sydney, the International Photography Awards (IPA), Arte Laguna Prize in Venice, the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year in the UK, and many more. (He also has a thing for numbers and facts.)

member of kamoinge

exhibitions + awards

publications & press

  1. British Journal of Photography (Bjp) - magazine (UK) - Dec 2024 - click here

  2. digital photographer - magazine (UK) - Dec 2023 - CLICK HERE

  3. digital photographer - magazine (UK) - Aug 2023 - CLICK HERE

  4. THE guardian - newspaper (UK) - may 2023 - CLICK HERE

  5. THE NATIONAL - NEWSPAPER (UAE) - MAY 2023 - CLICK HERE

  6. EURONEWS - ONLINE - MAY 2023 - CLICK HERE

  7. AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHY - ONLINE (AUSTRALIA) - MAY 2023 - CLICK HERE

  8. AAP Magazine - Issue 25 - Black and White - Jun 2022 - click here

  9. Amateur Photographer - issue premium edition - apr 2022 - click here

exhibitions

current / future - exhibitions

  1. check again in 5 minutes, if nothing in 5 minutes, read this sentence again.

past - exhibitions

  1. 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)

  2. 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?)

  3. 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)

  4. 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!)

  5. 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)

  6. 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!)

  7. 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)

  8. 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)

  9. Head On Photo Festival 2022 - “107 Projects - Redfern” - 107 Redfern St, Redfern, Sydney, NSW 2016, AUSTRALIA - 10th - 19th NOV 2022 (STORY: the stubborn boys)

  10. 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…)

  11. 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)

  12. 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)

Feb

  1. still cooking in the kitchen

Jan

  1. something big is cooking

  2. curating previous projects to add to website

2024 – awards (the year of essential admin and projects)

Dec

  1. curating previous projects to add to website

Nov

  1. Prix Pictet 2025 - storm - nominated - (series: T.B.A.)

  2. shooting new and old projects

oct

  1. shooting new and old projects

Sep

  1. bpa (British Photography Awards) - Sport - Shortlisted - (image: Sadio Mane, Who?)

  2. bpa (British Photography Awards) - Street - Shortlisted - (image: two by two)

aug

  1. shooting new and old projects

jul

  1. shooting new and old projects

jun

  1. curating previous projects to add to website

  2. shooting new and old projects

may

  1. curating previous projects to add to website

  2. picking up some old projects

  3. shooting current projects

Apr

  1. hibernation semi complete

  2. full launch of new website launched (what you are currently viewing, complete rebrand down to even the url and the removal and addition of hundreds of images)

mar

  1. xposure - (xposure international photography festival) - street (category winner) - 1st place - (image: two by two)

  2. hibernation mode

  3. soft launch of new website

feb

  1. formally accepted as a member into kamoinge

  2. “crickets on the awards front”

  3. hibernation mode

jan

  1. New Year hangover

  2. hibernation mode

2023 – awards

dec

  1. BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - Events - Sport - Gold - (STORY: Sadio Mane, Who?)

  2. BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - People - Life Style - Bronze - (STORY: Look Mummy, No Hands, No Hands!)

nov

  1. nada again!

oct

  1. nada

sep

  1. Eyeshot - Open Call (Series) - Semi-Finalist 

aug

  1. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Event / Competitive Event - Honorable Mention (STORY: Sadio Mane, who?)

  2. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Event / Competitive Event - Official Selection (STORY: Sadio Mane, who?)

jul

been busy, BACK soon with the goss

jun

  1. British Journal of Photography - OpenWalls Arles Vol.4 2023 (Theme: Truth) - Singles Winner (Story: Sadio mane, who?)

may

  1. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - winner - (image: two by two)

  2. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - 2nd place - (STORY: Doner Kebab)

  3. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - commended place (Honorable Mention) - (STORY: mint sauce)

  4. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - Food in field - finalist - (image: two by two)

  5. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - Food in field - commended place (Honorable Mention) - (STORY: Doner Kebab)

  6. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - world food programme food for life - commended place (Honorable Mention) - (STORY: Doner Kebab)

apr

  1. All About Photo Awards 2023 - particular merit mention (finalist) - (image: Father, Brother, Son...African!)

mar

  1. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - finalist - (image: two by two)

  2. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - finalist - (STORY: mint sauce)

  3. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - regional awards gulf (middle east) - finalist - (STORY: Doner Kebab)

  4. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - food in field - SHORTLISTED - (image: two by two)

  5. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - food in field - SHORTLISTED - (STORY: mint sauce)

  6. Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year - World Food Programme food for life - SHORTLISTED - (STORY: Doner Kebab)

feb

  1. SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist - (STORY: Look mummy, no hands, no hands!)


  2. SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist - (STORY: Sadio Mane, who?)


jan

  1. monochrome awards - Street / Professional - Honorable Mention (STORY: Do Not Forget the Lube)

  2. monochrome awards - Portrait / Professional - Honorable Mention (STORY: The Stubborn Boys)

2022 – awards

dec

  1. Diversify Photo - Photo of the Year 2022 (MAY) - Selected (image: Two By Two) 

  2. arte Laguna Prize - 17th edition - photographic art section - finalist (STORY: The Stubborn Boys)

nov

  1. Miami Street Photography Festival - Singles Contest - finalist

  2. Head On Photo Festival - Head On Awards - LANDSCAPE photographer of the year - Finalist (STORY: who left the bloody lights on - erbil, iraq)

  3. All About Photo - AAP MAGAZINE #28 STREETS - FINAL ROUND

oct

They are just “subjective” awards, it is nothing personal!

sep

  1. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story - Honorable Mention (STORY: The Stubborn Boys)

  2. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story - Honorable Mention (STORY: Until you walk a mile in my…)

  3. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Environmental - Official Selection (Finalist) - (STORY: W.T.F., How? When that 9 yr old Tweeted to stop using plastics, I thought…ah never mind)


  4. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story - Official Selection (Finalist) (STORY: The Stubborn Boys)

  5. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Editorial / Press-Photo Essay / Feature Story - Official Selection (Finalist) (STORY: Until you walk a mile in my…)

  6. PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - State of the World - Curatorial Selection (Exhibition Selection) - (STORY: Until you walk a mile in my…)

  7. PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - State of the World - Shortlist (Finalist) - (STORY: Impressing Invisible Girls)

Aug

  1. PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Special / Others Special - Silver - (STORY: Until you walk a mile in my…)


jul

  1. All About Photo - AAP MAGAZINE #25 Black & White -  2nd Place Winner
 - (STORY: the stubborn boys)


  2. MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Winner - People / Lifestyle - Gold - (STORY: Here we go, lights down low, candles lit, *cue* “Unchained Melody”)


  3. MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Winner - People / Lifestyle - Silver - (STORY: Omega 3)


  4. MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Winner - Science / Environment - Bronze - (STORY: W.T.F., How? When that 9 yr old Tweeted to stop using plastics, I thought…ah never mind)


  5. MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Editorial / General News - Honorable Mention - (STORY: Judging $1.00 a day from your $1,200.00 smartphone)

jun

Ain't nuttin' but a G thang, baby!

may

  1. The Independent Photographer - Landscape Photo Award 2022 - Editor’s Pick 

apr

  1. All About Photo Awards 2022 - final ROUND

mar

  1. Muse Photography Awards - multiple awards (not listing all, was not what I thought it was, Bad judgment call)

feb

  1. Smithsonian Magazine 19th Annual Photo Contest - Shortlisted for “People” Category

  2. SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)


  3. SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist - (STORY: Everybody’s a homie until the money ain’t right)


  4. SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist - (STORY: Judging $1.00 a day from your $1,200.00 smartphone)


  5. SIPA (Siena International Photo Awards) - Finalist - (STORY: Here we go, lights down low, candles lit, *cue* “Unchained Melody”)
 

jan

Shit happens. Keep up the hustle!

2021 – awards

dec

  1. BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - Category Winner Nature-Aerial - 1st Place - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)


  2. BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - Winner Nature-Aerial - Gold - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)


  3. BIFA (Budapest International Foto Awards) - Winner Science-Environment - Gold - (STORY: do not forget the lube)

  4. TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Nature-Aerial - Official Selection - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)


  5. TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Nature-Pets - Official Selection


  6. TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Portfolio-Fine Art - Official Selection - (STORY: do not forget the lube)


  7. TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Winner Nature-Pets – Bronze

  8. TIFA (Tokyo International Foto Awards) - Nature-Aerial - Honorable Mention - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)


nov

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

oct

  1. IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Children - Honorable Mention


  2. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Nature-Wildlife - Honorable Mention


  3. IPA (International Photography Awards) - Special-Night Photography - Honorable Mention - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)
 

sep

  1. PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Press / Other - Gold - (STORY: do not forget the lube)


  2. PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Nature / Earth - Gold - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)


  3. PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Special / Night Photography - Silver - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)


  4. PX3 (Prix de la Photographie de Paris) - Special / Street Photography - Silver - (STORY: do not forget the lube)

  5. Life Framer - Open Call - Finalist

jul

  1. MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - Winner - Nature-Aerial - BRONZE - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)

  2. MIFA (Moscow International Foto Awards) - People-Children - Honorable Mention


jun

Slow and steady wins the race!

may

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

apr

Maybe rico just got lucky in 2020, everybody was stuck at home!

mar

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

feb

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

jan

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

2020 - awards

dec

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

nov

Ok, okaaay! maybe we’ll hang around a little longer!

oct

  1. IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Street Photography - Honorable Mention


  2. IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Street Photography - Honorable Mention


  3. IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Street Photography - Honorable Mention


  4. IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Street Photography - Honorable Mention


  5. IPA (International Photography Awards) - People -Street Photography - Honorable Mention


  6. IPA (International Photography Awards) - People-Traditions / Culture - Honorable Mention


sep

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

aug

Rico thinks there is something going on, but he can’t put his finger on it, it is AWFULLY quiet out there!

jul

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

jun

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

may

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

apr

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

mar

BETTER LUCK NEXT time!

feb

Last roll of the dice!

jan

Let’s go! Last swing of the bat!

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

Sigma Art 14mm - STARGAZING kit

Sigma Art 24-70mm - spot the beginner

Nikon 24mm - old faithful

Sigma Art 40mm - the star of “who left the bloody lights on”

Tamron 70-200mm G2 - sweet spot

Nikon 200-500mm - my b.b.c. (big black canon)