Rodrigo Balam-ha' Carrillos Rosas

Rodrigo Balam-ha' Carrillos Rosas

Independent Photographer & Educator
Mexico City, MX.

About

Highly accomplished documentary photographer and educator with over a decade of experience capturing compelling narratives for global organizations, cultural institutions, and social impact initiatives. Founder of the acclaimed Metro Chilango collective, specializing in visual storytelling, cultural preservation, and community engagement. Proven ability to lead photographic projects, teach advanced techniques, and deliver impactful visual content across diverse platforms.

Work

Afrochingonas
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Podcast Producer

Summary

Lead producer of Afrochingonas, an independent podcast that amplifies the voices and experiences of Afro-descendant women in Mexico and Latin America. The project explores themes of identity, resistance, social justice, and Black feminism from a critical and localized perspective

Highlights

produced, and directed podcast episodes that explore social, cultural, and political issues through an Afro-centered lens, strengthening the representation of historically marginalized communities.

Recorded and edited high-quality audio content to ensure cohesive, sensitive, and technically sound storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.

Collaborate as part of the creative team, contributing ideas, developing narrative concepts, and supporting storytelling to craft compelling and cohesive episodes that reflect the podcast’s mission and tone.

UNICEF México
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Documentary Photographer

Summary

Produced impactful documentary photography for UNICEF Mexico, capturing critical narratives related to children's rights and social development initiatives.

Highlights

Captured compelling visual content for UNICEF Mexico, documenting humanitarian programs and advocacy efforts across various regions to support global awareness campaigns.

Delivered high-quality photographic assets that effectively communicated UNICEF's mission and impact to diverse stakeholders, aiding in public outreach and fundraising.

Utilized advanced documentary techniques to portray authentic stories of vulnerable communities, contributing to impactful visual narratives that informed public understanding.

Escuela Activa de Fotografía (EAF)
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Photography Instructor

Summary

Led comprehensive photography courses and workshops at a leading photography school, fostering practical skills and theoretical understanding in emerging photographers.

Highlights

Developed and delivered engaging curriculum for 'History and Language of Photography' and 'Lightroom' courses, enhancing technical proficiency for numerous aspiring photographers.

Instructed specialized workshops, including 'Mobile Photography for UNICEF Mexico' and 'Street Photography,' empowering participants with practical skills for diverse contexts.

Facilitated impactful photography workshops for INMujeres in vulnerable urban areas, leveraging visual storytelling for social empowerment and community engagement.

Collaborated with Foto Museo 4 Caminos to conduct advanced Street Photography workshops, expanding reach and promoting the art form to a wider audience.

OPPO Mobile Photography Contests
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Jury Member & Visual Creator

Summary

Participated in two consecutive editions of OPPO’s mobile photography contests, contributing both as a jury member and as a visual creator, helping to elevate the artistic and technical standards of mobile visual storytelling

Highlights

Served as a jury member for the 2022 and 2023 OPPO mobile photography contests, evaluating submissions and helping to select winning entries based on creativity, narrative strength, and technical execution

Created original photographic works for the contests, contributing to the visual identity and overall inspiration of each edition.

Collaborated with fellow creatives to promote mobile photography as a legitimate medium for artistic expression and social commentary.

Museo Nacional de Antropología
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Documentary Photographer & Photography Assistant

Summary

Documented museum operations and contributed to the digital preservation of invaluable cultural artifacts at a national institution.

Highlights

Executed comprehensive documentary photography of museum processes, exhibitions, and daily activities, preserving institutional memory and supporting public engagement.

Assisted in the meticulous digitization of museum pieces, contributing to the creation of a comprehensive digital archive for research, preservation, and public access.

Managed photographic workflows for artifact documentation, ensuring high-resolution image capture and accurate metadata for historical records.

Partners In Health
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Photographer

Summary

Provided essential photographic documentation for health programs in remote, underserved regions for a leading international NGO.

Highlights

Documented health programs and community initiatives in the Chiapas highlands for a North American NGO, illustrating the impact of healthcare interventions on local populations.

Produced visual assets that supported fundraising, public awareness, and program reporting, contributing to the NGO's mission to deliver healthcare in resource-poor settings.

Traveled to remote areas to capture authentic human stories, providing visual evidence of program effectiveness and community needs.

Education

Escuela Activa de Fotografía

Career Program

Photography

Publications

El Mago Leo, vivir de tu pasión en el metro

Published by

Vice

Summary

Contributed photographic work to an article in Vice magazine exploring personal passion within the context of the Mexico City metro.

Tenochtitlan-CDMX a 500 años

Published by

Chilango

Summary

Provided photography for an article in Chilango magazine commemorating 500 years of Tenochtitlan-Mexico City's history.

El Agua en la CDMX

Published by

Tierra Adentro

Summary

Contributed photographic content to an article in Tierra Adentro magazine focusing on water issues in Mexico City.

Skills

Photography

Documentary Photography, Street Photography, Mobile Photography, Photo Editing, Digital Photography, Lightroom, Visual Storytelling, Cultural Documentation.

Education & Mentorship

Curriculum Development, Workshop Facilitation, Adult Education, Instructional Design.

Project Management & Leadership

Collective Leadership, Project Coordination, Exhibition Curation, Community Engagement.

Digital Archiving

Digitization, Image Management, Metadata Management, Digital Preservation.

Communication

Social Impact Communication, Public Relations, Visual Content Creation.

Videography

Documentary Filmmaking, Mobile Videography, Interview Recording, Story-driven Editing, Field Production, Audio Capture, Visual Storytelling, Social & Cultural Narratives, Adobe Premiere Pro..

Podcast Producer

Audio Recording, Episode Direction, Editing & Post-Production, Narrative Design, Interview Production, Creative Concept Development, Storytelling Strategy, Editorial Planning, Sound Design, Social Justice Narratives.

Languages

English

Fluent

Spanish

Native

Japanese

Conversational

Projects

@La_Estrit

Summary

Contributed as a key member of a street photography collective focused on promoting and disseminating the art form.

@MetroChilango

Summary

Founded and led an underground photography collective dedicated to visually documenting the Mexico City metro system.

Metro Chilango: Exposición Colectiva

Summary

Participated in a collective photography exhibition showcasing work related to the Metro Chilango project.

Matasano: Miradas desde la Sierra (Festival Quimera Metepec)

Summary

Presented photographic work at the Quimera Metepec Festival, focusing on perspectives from the highlands.

Matasano: Miradas desde la Sierra (Centro de Cultura Regional de Valle de Bravo)

Summary

Exhibited a photographic series exploring highland perspectives at a regional cultural center.

Testimonios de una Realidad

Summary

Presented a solo or group exhibition titled 'Testimonios de una Realidad' at a gallery in Mexico City.