Germán Vázquez

German Ayala Vazquez (he/him) is a Puerto Rican photographer and visual artist based in Philadelphia whose practice blends fashion, portraiture, and photojournalism with vibrant conceptual depth.

German Ayala Vazquez (he/him) is a Puerto Rican photographer and visual artist based in Philadelphia whose practice blends fashion, portraiture, and photojournalism with vibrant conceptual depth. Raised in Upstate New York and rooted in Afro Queer and BIPOC LGBTQIA+ communities, German’s work uplifts stories of identity, joy, resistance, and belonging. His bold use of color and lighting reframes visibility and challenges beauty norms, forging images that are both intimate and expansive.

A graduate of the University of the Arts (BFA, Photography), German has exhibited work nationally and internationally, with solo shows in San Juan and Philadelphia. His work appeared in the 2024 Brazil Black Art Biennial and is featured in two upcoming books on contemporary Afro Queer photography. Recent collaborations include Apple, Shutterstock, and Barron’s, and his editorial work has been featured in PhotoVogue, Smithsonian Magazine, and Condé Nast. He is a 2023 Mural Arts Black Fellow and recipient of the Shutterstock Create Fund.