About

Photo: Marta Hernandez

Yago Ruiz (Spain, 1985) is an award-winning photographer based in London, United Kingdom.

His work centers on long-term documentary projects that explore identity, tradition, and everyday life—often focusing on overlooked or insular communities. With a visual language that blends emotional depth and poetic observation, Ruiz seeks to foster human connection through cultural storytelling.

After a life-changing journey through India and Nepal in 2008, Yago turned to photography as his primary medium of expression. He has since traveled to over 30 countries and spent much of the last decade living between Ethiopia and the UK, consistently documenting the quiet, ordinary moments that shape our shared humanity.

In 2021, during the most isolating months of the pandemic, Ruiz shifted from travel to documentary photography. Since then, he has developed several long-form projects, including an in-depth exploration of the Hasidic Jewish communities in North London—the largest of its kind in Europe. His other ongoing series include intimate portrayals of London’s boxing clubs, the underground world of clowning, and a moving chronicle of a pilgrimage to the Holy Land undertaken by a group of Spanish Catholic individuals with disabilities from the organization “Hospitalidad Jesús de Nazaret.”

His most ambitious project to date, Hasidim, The Unseen, began as a quiet personal inquiry and has evolved into a comprehensive visual study of cultural identity, spirituality, and coexistence. This work marks a turning point in Ruiz’s practice, combining long-form documentary storytelling with visual depth and cultural sensitivity.

Ruiz’s work has been exhibited both in the UK and internationally, with solo shows in London (2018, 2024) and group and solo exhibitions in cities across Spain, including Madrid, Zaragoza, Huesca, Alcalá de Henares, and Cádiz. His work has also been featured in collective exhibitions in London and Madrid.

His photography has appeared in publications such as Caption Magazine, Docu Magazine, All About Photo, F-Stop Magazine, and The Independent Photographer. He is the author of two photobooks: Ethiopia (2016), and Tras los pasos del Cofrade (2017).
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Today, Yago continues to pursue visual narratives grounded in cultural nuance and human experience, with an unwavering commitment to authenticity, respect, and storytelling.
BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS:

> 2024:
  • "Issue #126. Telling Stories 2024. A Clowning Story". Shortlisted for group gallery. F-Stop Magazine.
  • "Issue #25. Mattie & Walker. A Clowning Story". Caption Magazine.
  • "Mattie & Walker. A Clowning Story". Docu Magazine Special Edition. Docu Magazine.
  • "Hasidim: A Hidden Community". Docu Magazine Special Edition. Docu Magazine.
  • "Issue #311. Lag Ba'Omer in London". Jewish Tribune. 28/05/2024

> 2021: "Issue #15. Streets".  All About Photo Magazine.

> 2018: "Talents of the year". The Independent Photographer.

> 2017: "Tras los pasos del Cofrade". Editate.es. Limited edition of 500.

> 2016: "ETHIOPIA". Self published. Limited edition of 100.


SOLO EXHIBITIONS:

> 2024:
  • "London Photo Show 2024". Oxo Tower. London. United Kingdom. November 12th to 18th.
> 2018:
  • "Human". Espaciogallery. London, United Kingdom. August 14th to 19th.
  • "Jornada de Fotografía en la Calle". Photo Fair. Agrupación Fotográfica de Guadalajara (AFGU). Guadalajara, Castilla la Mancha. Spain. May 19th.
> 2017:
  • "ETHIOPIA - A trip to hope". In collaboration with NGO Entarachén VOLS & Fundación Caja Inmaculada. Zaragoza, Aragón. Spain. December 11th to 29th.
  • "ETHIOPIA". Hostel Complutum Space - Alcalá de Henares. Madrid. Spain. October 3rd to November 3rd.
  • "ETHIOPIA". La Polaroid Gallery - San Fernando. Cádiz. Spain. April 20th to May 10th.
  • "La Cooperación en las Tecnologías de la Información". Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Escuela de Ingenieros Informáticos (ETSIINF). Madrid. Spain. April 2017 - Now.
  • "ETHIOPIA - A trip to hope". In collaboration with NGO Entarachén VOLS & Fundación Caja Inmaculada. Huesca, Aragón. Spain. February 13th to March 9th.
  • "Ethiopia & India". Yago Ruiz Photo Exhibition. La Oficina Gastrobar Space. Majadahonda. Madrid. Spain.​January - October.
> 2016:
  • "ETHIOPIA". EntreFotos Photo Fair. Casa del Reloj del Matadero, La Lonja Space. Madrid. Spain. December.
> 2014:
  • "Meaning POP Up STORE". Collaboration with Meaning to help the Salesian Sister's Mission in Zway (Ethiopia). Palacio de Santa Bárbara, Madrid. Spain. December.
> 2013:
  • "ETHIOPIA". Ángeles Santos Art Gallery. Majadahonda, Madrid. Spain. October.
> 2012:
  • "THE TRAVELER". La Flaca Gastrobar Space. Majadahonda. Madrid. Spain. December.
  • "MOMENTS". La Flaca Gastrobar Space. Majadahonda. Madrid. Spain. June.
  • "MOMENTS". Bellanca Restaurant Space. Madrid. Spain. February.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

> 2024:
  • "Forbidden Land". PhotoBookCafe. London. United Kingdom. June 25th to 27th.
> 2018:
  • "Tras los pasos del Cofrade". Editate.es & Club Fotográfico de Alcalá. Alcalá de Henares, Madrid. Spain. March 21st to April 22th.
> 2013:
  • "3rd Exposición Benéfica de Arte, Pablo Horstmann Foundation". Círculo de Bellas Artes - Juana Mordó Art Gallery. Madrid. Spain. November.
> 2010 - 2011:
  • "Fotografiarte - Majadahonda Te Va". Ángeles Santos Art Gallery. Majadahonda. Madrid. Spain. November.
> 2009:
  • "Jesús y Adán". Youth House Space. Las Rozas. Madrid. Spain. February.

AWARDS:

> 2021: > 2018: > 2017: > 2011:
  • 2nd prize. “Tu foto en National Geographic” Contest. September.
> 2009:
  • 1st Prize. “Jesús y Adán” Photography Contest - Best three photos modality.
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INTERVIEWS & ARTICLES

> 2023:​ > 2021: > 2020: > 2018: > 2017: > 2016: > 2013:
MASTERCLASS & COLLABORATIONS

> 2020: > 2017:
  • Semana Santa Alcalaína. Club Fotográfico de Alcalá & editate.es. Alcalá de Henares. Madrid. 13th, 14th April.
  • "Cooperación en la ETSIINF: TICs para mejorar el mundo". Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Escuela de Ingenieros Informáticos (ETSIINF). 4th April.
  • Photo-seminar - Club Fotográfico de Alcalá. Alcalá de Henares. Madrid. 11th February.
> 2012 - 2014:​
  • Into The Wild Pro. June 2012 - Now.
  • Gran Angular Press Agency. February 2012 - June 2014.