Delmi Alvarez grew up in Vigo, where his interest in photography began at the age of fifteen, although he didn’t pursue it professionally until years later. He bought his first camera in the Canary Islands, a Zenith, from a sailor on a Russian boat and began to photograph on black and white Valca HH29 film. Whilst studying in high school in Vigo, Delmi documented the students’ and workers’ revolts.

In 1991 he lived in Havana documenting the Cubans’ life after the fall of the USSR that left the country in a difficult economic and social situation.


In 1993 his effort were recognized with a Fotopres award in Barcelona, by La Caixa. Between 1991 and 1993 he covered the conflict in old Yugoslavia, recognized by another Fotopress award.

In 1989, Delmi began his long term documentary project about the Galician exodus around the world (Galegos na Diáspora), traveling by bus and train with other emigrants around Europe. In the following years he traveled to both Americas, Asia & Oceania, Africa and Russia. The project is still ongoing and it has already taken to the big screen.

Over the past few years Delmi has invited five photographers to collaborate with him in his projects, one of which being the ‘Camino de Santiago’ (St. James’ Way) which begun in 1991.

At present Delmi lives in Riga, Latvia, and is working on a personal project on the Arctic and its perspective of life.