Julia Cumes, Photo Artfolio Founder
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” — Dorothea Lange
I’m Julia Cumes, the founder of Photo Artfolio, working in collaboration with a talented group of photographers.
My own journey has taken me from photographing global issues and cultural stories abroad to creating long-term narrative projects at home. Along the way, I experienced the transformative power of mentorship and community support. Those early influences shaped not only my career but also the vision behind Photo Artfolio. The guidance, support, and insights I received were instrumental in shaping my skills and artistic vision. It is with this understanding of the value of mentorship and a strong photography community that the idea of Photo Artfolio was born. Our mission is to help photographers of all levels navigate the challenges I faced when starting out, offering curated exhibits, grant programs, and invaluable resources to showcase your talent, passion, and projects to a broader audience. A highlight of our platform is the "Photographers to Watch" section, a dedicated space that spotlights rising talents whose work resonates with us for its creativity, innovation, fresh perspective, compelling aesthetic, or powerful storytelling. We believe in the power of photography to inspire and transform, and this section is our way of celebrating the next generation of photographic visionaries.
You can learn more about me and see my work at juliacumes.com and on instagram @juliacumes.
Thank you for being a part of our community. I look forward to witnessing your photographic journey unfold.
—Julia Cumes, Founder, Photo Artfolio
Photo Credit: Lipe Borges
Lipe Borges, Photo Artfolio Communications
I’m Lipe Borges. I’ve been curious for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was drawn to colors, sounds, textures, and new experiences. I learned through imagination, experimentation, and connection — often feeling out of place within traditional education, but always guided by curiosity.
I studied Social Communication, and it was through that path that I first encountered photography. Everything shifted in the darkroom, watching images slowly appear. After graduating, I traveled through South and Central America with my camera, an experience that deeply shaped how I see people and stories. Back in Brazil, I opened a photography studio and later the first photography school in my hometown, where I spent seven years photographing, teaching, and growing alongside an incredible community.
In 2019, I moved to the United States and later met photographer Julia Cumes. We quickly connected through a shared passion for photography and desire to create meaningful work. Today, I collaborate as a lighting director on her documentary and commercial projects, and I lead communications for Photo Artfolio — a platform that reflects my belief in photography as a tool for community, opportunity, and transformation.
You can learn more about me and see my work at curiouslipe.com and on instagram @lipeborges.photo.
Photo Credit: Julia Cumes
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