about rico x.

rico x. is not your fine art educated type. He’s self taught with no waffle, no pretence and definitely no need for a dictionary or thesaurus to decode what he does. He’s highly visual, speaks plainly, runs with a partial filter and if we’re being honest, he’s not shy about dropping the occasional f bomb.

An eighties baby born in 1986, rico x.’s roots stretch from the Caribbean island of Grenada to South London. At 18 he began flight training and picked up his first compact digital camera, the kind you took on nights out or holidays, not for art just memories.

By 21 he was accepted as a cadet on the B737 based in London. While learning to fly he kept snapping along the way, casually documenting life on the ground and in the skies. At 23 he became one of the youngest B737 Synthetic Flight Instructors in the world. Photography remained just a side “ting”, mates, airports, cities seen between flights, simulator sessions and vacations.

At 26 he achieved his Type Rating Instructor qualification and moved to the Middle East to fly the B777. Around this time the camera started to feature more. As with any origin story, a girl entered the frame and together they began shooting more intentionally. She encouraged him to get his first DSLR, a Nikon.

At 30 he passed his Command Upgrade  and later went on to become one of the youngest B777 / B787 Captains globally. The girl eventually left the picture but the camera stayed and that’s when things behind the lens really started to take off.

By 2016, photography got more serious. He travelled more, shot more, explored what kind of photographer he wanted to be. In 2020, he was introduced to photo consultant Christina Force, ex Saatchi and Saatchi, and they’ve worked together ever since.

His goal became to photograph Black and Brown people in a positive light. No award chasing shots of trauma or extreme poverty. Just real people living real lives, putting food on the table for their families or attempting to take on the business world, proud of who they are. Through this, he gains access to stories grounded in truth, resilience and dignity, challenging tired stereotypes and showcasing hardworking culturally rich communities.

His lens has taken him from the Middle East’s bullfighting rings to the jungles of Uganda tracking gorillas at 2500 metres. From losing his shoes in the heat of Namibia’s dunes to zipping down rivers in Borneo in search of orangutans and pygmy elephants to zip lining the Costa Rican rainforests at eye-watering heights. From the heights of Machu Picchu to the depths of the Dead Sea after roaming the lost city of Petra. From helicopters over active volcanoes to views at 10,000 metres through the cockpit windows of hundreds of aircraft.

He’s visited over 90 countries and proudly photographed in nearly 20 African nations. In 2024, he became one of the first non US based members of Kamoinge, the legendary all Black US photography collective with past and present icons like Adger Cowans, Salimah Ali, Jamel Shabazz, Roy DeCarava, Eli Reed (Magnum Photos), Ruddy Roye, Anthony  Barboza, Toni Parks (Daughter of Gordon Parks) and Ming Smith.

rico x. was recommended for a 10 year UAE Golden Visa by both the Ministry of Culture (Abu Dhabi) and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, under the category of creative people in culture and the arts.

He’s been nominated for the Prix Pictet and has been a finalist, winner, shortlisted or honourably mentioned over 50 times across international awards. These include BJP Open Walls in Arles, Xposure, the British Photography Awards, Head On Photo Festival in Sydney, the International Photography Awards, Arte Laguna Prize in Venice and the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year in the UK.

member of kamoinge

press + 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)

  • 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 - (series: T.B.A.)

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

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

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

  • formally accepted as a member into kamoinge

2023 – awards

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

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

  • Eyeshot - Open Call (Series) - Semi-Finalist 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

2022 – awards

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

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

  • Miami Street Photography Festival - Singles Contest - finalist (exhibition)

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

  • All About Photo - AAP MAGAZINE #28 STREETS - FINAL ROUND

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

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

  • 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)


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

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

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

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

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


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


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


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


  • 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)


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

  • 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 - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)


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


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


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

2021 – awards

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


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


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

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


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


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


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

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


  • 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 - (STORY: who left the bloody lights on)
 

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


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


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


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

  • Life Framer - Open Call - Finalist

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

  • 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

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”

Nikon 50mm - new kid on the block

Tamron 70-200mm G2 - sweet spot

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