Karla Gachet Vega

Karla Gachet Vega is an Ecuadorian visual storyteller with nearly 20 years of experience documenting stories across Latin America and the United States. Her work explores themes of culture, territory, Indigenous and environmental rights, and migration, with the aim of fostering empathy and driving social change.

She was the first female staff photographer at El Comercio newspaper in Ecuador, setting a precedent in the country’s photojournalism. She later worked as photo editor for Terra Incógnita magazine and taught at the Universidad de Las Américas. Passionate about education, Gachet Vega mentors emerging visual storytellers on how to find their own voice, collaborate ethically with the communities they document, and ensure that their work returns to and benefits those communities.

Her photography has been featured in leading international outlets including National Geographic, The New York Times, Geo France, The Smithsonian, and The Washington Post. Her work has been recognized by World Press Photo, POYi, and POY LATAM. She is the co-author of Historias Mínimas: De Ecuador a Tierra del Fuego and Gypsy Kings, and co-founder of the collective Runa Photos. She is also an active member of Ayün Fotógrafas, Women Photograph, and Foto Féminas.

Based in Los Angeles for the past nine years, Gachet Vega has documented the lives of Latinx, Indigenous, and Native American communities in the United States. In 2022, she was named a National Geographic Explorer and received a grant to tell the story of the origins and expansion of cumbia throughout the Americas.

Gachet Vega has led workshops and given talks in several countries, always emphasizing authentic connection with audiences, hands-on field practice, and editorial guidance. She firmly believes in the power of images to transform narratives, spark dialogue, and create spaces for collective reflection.


World Press Photo Involvement:
2026 World Press Photo Contest jury member
2010 World Press Photo Contest winner

Karla Gachet Vega on Social Media: 
Instagram: @kchete77