By Mary Smith
Vinicius Marmo Azevedo is more than just a photographer; he’s a visual artist, a seasoned professional, and a director of photography with over a decade of experience weaving compelling narratives through imagery.
This Orlando, Florida-based photographer has gained notoriety for collaborating with major national and international companies across corporate, editorial, motorsport, and entertainment sectors. Azevedo’s camera lens has traveled extensively, capturing impactful photographs and videos across the U.S., South America, and Europe.
In fact, Azevedo’s extensive professional experience spans across various crucial roles within the visual arts, including videography, retouching, digital technology, and video editing, particularly within commercial studio environments. Above all, he is an expert at portrait photography.
A testament to the impact and quality of his work, Azevedo’s photographs have been showcased internationally in prestigious venues such as Times Square in New York City, the GPU Photography Exhibition in Egypt, the Brazilian International Photography Circuit, the Delaware Valley Circuit in the USA, and the Tuscany Photo Awards in Italy. He has also received numerous accolades, including the FIAP Blue Ribbon and the Best Picture Award from the International Academy of Cinema.
An active member of several professional organizations, including Professional Photographers of America, American Photographic Artists, the Photographic Society of America, the Global Photographic Union, and the National Press Photographers Association, Azevedo continues to demonstrate his commitment to blending creative direction with technical excellence in every project he undertakes. Recently, Azevedo sat down to discuss some of the award-winning photos that have defined his career.
The FIAP Blue Ribbon: Capturing Athletic Grace
Azevedo won a Blue Ribbon Award for a photo from the FIAP, the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique in France, in 2024, for excellence in global competition. “It
His award-winning photo has been shown in exhibitions in Egypt, Italy, Brazil, and in Times Square in New York City. “The photo that received the FIAP Blue Ribbon Award from the Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) on July 1st, 2024, is a personal favorite of mine,” Azevedo explained.
“It was taken during a beach training session featuring Natália Eugênia Guitler, a remarkable Brazilian athlete recognized internationally for her achievements in footvolley and teqball. She’s been awarded multiple times as one of the top female players in both sports.”
He elaborated on the image’s composition: “The photo captures Natália mid-action, under a strikingly blue sky, in a scene that combines power, grace, and the natural beauty of Brazil’s coast. It’s an image that reflects not only athleticism but also presence and emotion—elements I always aim to preserve in my photography. The image was submitted under the file name VMA_5859, and winning this award from such a prestigious international federation was a meaningful recognition of my work in sports photography.”
The IF YOU Foundation Award: Photography for Social Impact
Azevedo then discussed his recognition from the IF YOU Foundation, a non-profit for children in Orlando. “In this case, the recognition was broader: I was honored with the Best Photographer Award from the IF YOU Foundation (USA) in 2023, rather than for a specific image,” he said. “The award acknowledged my year-round contribution to the foundation’s social initiatives, especially through visual storytelling.”
The foundation gave Azevedo an award for his official documentation and photography for the IF YOU Soccer Academy and recognition ceremonies. He was recognized for artistic excellence, technical proficiency, and contribution to nonprofit communication and outreach, and was selected for the award by Fernanda Pontes, the foundation’s founder and CEO.
He emphasized the importance of his role: “I’ve worked closely with the foundation on multiple events and community programs, always with the goal of capturing images that are not only technically strong but emotionally impactful. After each event, I take on the responsibility of curating and selecting the images that best communicate the mission of the foundation. These visuals are used to increase visibility, engage sponsors, and ultimately expand the foundation’s ability to serve families and children in need.”
Azevedo concluded, “The award was granted for artistic excellence, technical proficiency, and the meaningful role photography plays in nonprofit communication and outreach. Being part of the foundation’s work goes far beyond documentation—it’s about supporting real change through visual language. It has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my professional journey.”
The International Academy of Cinema Award: A Study in Light and Solitude
In 2018, Azevedo won the Best Picture Award from the International Academy of Cinema in Brazil for his project, “A Man and Sunrise,” a landscape photography project. He was awarded in the Landscape category during the International Academy of Cinema Festival for visual impact and technical mastery, and was selected with official confirmation by Cleumo Segond, Director of Photography at AIC.
Reflecting on his Best Picture Award from the International Academy of Cinema (Brazil), Azevedo shared the story behind the winning photograph. The prestigious award was granted during an annual competition held by the International Academy of Cinema (AIC) in Brazil, a national-level competition which awards the country’s top professional photographers. “I received the Best Picture Award in the Landscape Photography category for my image titled “A Man and Sunrise” as part of a larger visual project exploring light, solitude, and natural transformation,” he said.
He described the essence of the photo as a fleeting moment: “The photo was taken during an early morning session, with a single human figure silhouetted against a dramatic sunrise. The judges—composed of instructors, filmmakers, and photographers from the academy—recognized the photo for its visual impact and technical execution, particularly in how it balanced atmosphere, composition, and emotion.”
Azevedo added, “Winning this award in 2018 was a turning point early in my artistic development. It reinforced my decision to invest in photography not just as a craft, but as a powerful medium for artistic and emotional expression.”
Looking Ahead: Vinicius Marmo Azevedo’s Vision for 2025
When asked about his plans for the future, Azevedo expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead. “I’m genuinely excited about what 2025 holds,” he said. “I currently have several creative and commercial projects in development, both through my own company and in collaboration with production companies, marketing agencies, and social organizations.”
He adds: “My career has always operated on multiple fronts. As a professional photographer, my work isn’t tied to a single employer or project—it’s a dynamic mix of assignments that range from corporate and editorial to social impact and high-performance sports. One of the highlights of my journey has been my involvement with TV Globo Internacional, along with various global clients and campaigns. This year, I plan to expand my work even further, exploring new territories in both image-making and storytelling.”
He has a clear vision for his future: “Whether it’s through international partnerships, new creative collaborations, or producing visual content with greater social reach, I see 2025 as a year of evolution—both technically and artistically.”
Vinicius Marmo Azevedo’s work can be found at www.viniciusmarmo.com and on Instagram @viniciusmarmo.
All photos copyright Vinicius Marmo Azevedo.
