Nacho Varela is a Spanish photographer based in Madrid.
He began practicing street photography in 2017 on the streets of his hometown, and since then he has pursued it all over the world. Without a doubt, photography has become his passion and vocation—something that has changed his life.
His work focuses on capturing human existence in a cinematic way. By immersing himself in the chaos of the street, he seeks beauty in everyday life.
He pays special attention to color, although he sometimes prefers to work in black and white. His style is “frank,” meaning spontaneous. He doesn’t ask for permission to shoot. Therefore, it’s a type of humanist photography—respectful and grounded.
Since 2022, he has been conducting street photography workshops in various cities alongside the photographer Gaby Chinea, through their project Todos a la Calle.
Awards and Recognitions
• 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 – Fujifilm Calendar. Fujifilm Spain and Portugal.
• 2021 – Madrid Film Office. #Mimadriddecine. Third Prize: ‘Plaza de la Armería’
• 2021 – Madrid Film Office. #Mimadriddecine. Second Prize: ‘Un día en las carreras’
• 2020 – AFSA Ciutat de Xàtiva. Fourth Prize
• 2022 – Aula de Especialización Fotográfica. 2nd International Pastiche Contest: First Prize
• 2022 – #Streetstyle PhotoEspaña Contest. First Prize
• 2022 – Streetgrammer Photo of the Year
• 2022 – ND Awards. Street Photography Category: Honorable Mention
• 2023 – #Streetstyle PhotoEspaña Contest. First Prize
• 2023 – #elmomentodelopequeño PhotoEspaña Contest. Second Prize
• 2023 – Casanova Foto Contest. Street Category: Second Prize
• 2024 – VIEPA Awards: Honorable Mention
• 2024 – Fujifilm #WorldPhotographyDay24: Second Prize
• 2024 – Taboracrom. Talavera Photography Contest: First Prize
• 2025 – White Balance Awards with group exhibition at Est_Art Space. Selected with the
project “Of Other Lives”
• 2025 – Internet Day Awards. Spanish Internet Users Association. First Prize in Content
Creators Category
• 2025 – Portfolio Contest, OnPhoto Soria Photography Festival. Third Prize
• 2025 – Angel Jalon International Photography Contest. Honorable Mention
• 2025 – Madrid inquieto. Cultura Inquieta. First Prize.
Publications
05/22. Risbel magazine Nº 18
04/23. Risbel Magazine Nº 20
10/25. Risbel Magazine Nº 25