Argentinian photographer Guadalupe Laiz captures wildlife in rhapsodic shots of grandiosity. Her fierce adoration for the wonders of nature makes for Laiz’ unconditional devotion to her craft. Every year she spends several months in Africa, scouring the regions of Rwanda,  Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania as well as Europe’s Nordic countries. With the help of local organizations and communities, she penetrates areas forbidden to most. Her courageous spirit and desire to bring the purest authenticity to her work, place her in dangerous proximity with the animals, sometimes as close as 6 feet. This results in images where even the most minuscule detail is brought to the fore and every wrinkle, hair, and pore is exposed. In so doing, Laiz uncovers the humanity of these majestic creatures, raising urgent questions about the conservation of our environment; and, as we gaze into the eyes of a lion or those of a rhinoceros charging towards us in full force, we feel the adrenaline pumping and our heart beating in unison with theirs. Entranced by visions of solemn beauty, we stand in our own vulnerability and the illusory veil that separates us from the rest of Creation quietly dissolves. 

Laiz has an Associate Degree in Photography from Colorado Mountain College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography from the Art Institute of Colorado. Her first book of photographs, Horses of Iceland, was published by teNeues in 2019. Her second book titled Among the Living, Where You Belong is slated to be released in the fall of 2023. Laiz grew up in Argentina, but moved to the United States at the age of 20. She now lives in Aspen, Colorado, where she runs a fine art photography gallery and plans on opening a second location in Dallas within the year.