Jonathan Borba Photographs Memories for the Future

Welcome to Hero of the Week, an ongoing series sharing stories from some of the best photographers in the Pexels community.

Since joining Pexels in 2019, Jonathan Borba has already racked up an astonishing 300 million views on his photos.

Based in Espírito Santo, Brazil, Jonathan specializes in weddings, couples, and families, bringing a warmth and affection to all his portraits. He also shoots some pretty beautiful natural scenes and textures, and he does graphic design—he's a man of many photographic talents.

We talked to Jonathan to hear more about what inspires his work.

Pexels: How long have you been taking photos, and how did you get started?

Jonathan: I’ve been a photographer for around eight years. I started in sports photography as a hobby and then migrated professionally to the events and family area.

What camera gear do you use?

Canon 6D.

What’s your favorite type of photo to shoot, and why?

I like many photography areas. Sports, weddings, brands, products. But one that I’m really passionate about is textures, whether it's the sand on the beach or a rusted iron sign.

What inspires your photography?

A friend asked me this question some time ago and I really couldn’t find something which would fit as the answer.

It’s a set of things. Music, trips, friends, movies, a late afternoon walk on the beach. There’s no exact answer.

Tell us about your favorite photo on your Pexels profile.

This one is a photo taken at 4:30 am at Itaúnas Beach, in Espírito Santo. The moon was high and its blue light reflected on the sand, giving this effect to the photo.

Who are some other photographers and artists who inspire your work?

Joey L, Gabe McClintock, Pablo Laguia, Rafal Bojar, Phil Chester, and of course my friends at Cinemotion and R2 Filmes.

What is one goal you have for your photography?

Always deliver memories that will be seen in many years with love and dearness.

At home, I have a lot of old family pictures. And when I sit down to look at these photos, I see how much my work is important.

Pexels Heroes is our invite-only community of the top photographers on Pexels. Find out more and apply to join here.

This interview was translated from Portuguese by Athena Sandrini.