Cariocas

‘Carioca’ means a native or resident of Rio de Janeiro.

My parents first met in Rio de Janeiro, and so it has always been a place very close to my heart, with fond memories of our happy holidays there as a family.

In early 2024, I returned to the city for the first time in over three years, revisiting again in 2025 and 2026. Each visit became more than simply returning to a familiar place; it was a way of reconnecting with my memories, culture, and the joyful spirit that makes Rio unlike anywhere else.

The beach culture in Rio de Janeiro is like no other, and on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, you can happily spend all day people-watching. It was these moments that inspired me to capture the warmth, vibrancy, and energy of the Cariocas selling food, drinks, and gifts in their unique, easy-going way, always carrying a sense of happiness and joy.

There were parts of Rio de Janeiro that had changed since my childhood visits, some for the better and some for the worse, and I did not always recognise the place that I thought I remembered.

But I recognised the Cariocas.