Emmanuel Santos

Photographer Humanist Cultural Documentarian Creative Director

Emmanuel Santos is a globally respected photographer and artist whose work spans continents, cultures, and decades. Formerly a photographer for the United Nations, he migrated to Australia in the early 1980s and has since devoted his career to capturing the sacred, the personal, and the universal.

Best known for his lifelong photographic project on the Jewish Diaspora, Emmanuel’s work is represented in major museum collections worldwide. His poetic approach to storytelling was also celebrated in the acclaimed SBS series Language of Light, which highlighted his ability to translate history, identity, and myth into powerful visual narratives.

Guided by a nomadic spirit, Emmanuel has created photographic essays on tribal traditions and the universality of human existence. Over the past three decades, his practice has focused on Judaism, the Greek Diaspora, and ancient cultures — producing visual interpretations of myths, legends, and explorations of cultural continuity. In 2025, Emmanuel expanded further into the cinematic space as Creative Director, Stills Photographer, and Actor in First Light, premiering at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).

Also a talented musician, Emmanuel is a true creative force, his work continues to transcend boundaries across photography, film, painting and storytelling. As a mentor, Emmanuel offers emerging creatives a rare opportunity to learn from a master observer — one who sees beyond the frame, honours the story, and embodies the art he creates.

EXHIBITIONS
2011 | Observances. Patiño Cultural Center. Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
2010 | Observances. Recoleta Cultural Center. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2009 | The Book of Enlightenment. Silverlens Gallery. Manila, Philippines.
2008 | The passage of light. Primo Marella Gallery. Milano, Italy.
2007 | The passage of light. Silverlens Gallery. Manila, Philippines.
2006 | The passage of light. Monash Art Gallery. Australia.
2005 | Observances, Cultural Center of Federal Justice. Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

COLLECTIONS
National Gallery of Victoria, the National Library and the Australian Jewish Museum; the Museum of Jewish Art and History in Paris, the National Library of France and the Beth Hatefutsoth Museum in Israel.