Bruno Kelly

Bruno Kelly

Based
Manaus, Brazil
Born
Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil
Status
Photographer
“The people and stories that we document today will change the way we work tomorrow.”

Beat

Being based in Manaus, the capital of Brazil’s Amazonas state, has given me the chance to photograph the beautiful wildlife of this region, and to document man’s effect on this ecosystem that is so important to the world. More recently, I have been photographing preparations for the 2014 World Cup, some of which will be hosted in Manaus. I enjoy photographing stories about people’s lives – everyone has something interesting to tell.

One Shot

. MANAUS, Brazil. REUTERS/Bruno Kelly
Ten-year-old Lucas Amorim, who suffers from a disorder affecting the growth of his arms, swims during a training session in Manaus.
“The story of Lucas affected me deeply. He is an example to all of us that we can do whatever we want if we have dedication and willpower, and that there is always a way to overcome our fears and physical limitations.”

Profile

My earliest memories of photography go back to when I was a child and my father would carry cameras and rolls of film on our family outings to record our trips.

I’m the first journalist in my family. My mother always dedicated herself to taking care of her children and my father, who was formerly in the military, now works for a company that manufactures airplanes. He always dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps until one day he realised that I had a passion just like he did, but it was for photography.

In 2005 I began to take pictures for national agencies and quickly managed to get a job with a local newspaper. Since my hometown is an important industrial centre, I began photographing strikes and labour conflicts and offered my photos to international media.

My big career change came in 2009 when I was invited by the newspaper O Critica to spend three months in Manaus. I had never been to the north of my country, so it was a bet that many of my friends found insane at first. Today, I'm glad that I took the chance.

When I arrived in Manaus I realised the region's potential for stories and I began to make contact with international agencies, especially Reuters. When Manaus was chosen to host World Cup matches it gained even more importance for international media.

I think that photography teaches me something new every day. The people and stories that we document today will change the way we work tomorrow. I couldn’t imagine my life without photography.

Even though I’m not a native of this region, the Amazon has become a part of me. I try hard to tell the story of this place that is so special.

Behind the Scenes

. Iranduba, Brazil. Joel Rosa
Reuters photographer Bruno Kelly walks past brush set alight by Amazon indigenous people during their forced eviction from land where they were squatting.