ABOUT
Cris Toala Olivares is an internationally award-winning Ecuadorian photographer, journalist, and storyteller. His lens focuses on both natural and urban landscapes, capturing the essence of places and people while offering new perspectives that challenge the way we see the world. His photographs are not just images; they are stories of transformation, resilience, and connection.
Food is at the heart of every story’s invitation. Everything begins with a dialogue at the table, and from there, the narrative unfolds. This approach has led Cris to savor cultures worldwide, discovering that food is always the starting point of the story. Through this passion, he has played a key role in helping Amazonian women create the finest chocolate bars using the best cacao, blending tradition with innovation to foster sustainable growth.
Alongside Peruvian archaeologist Quirino Olivera and the people of the Amazon, Cris took part in a significant discovery in the region, uncovering secrets of ancient civilizations and their interaction with nature. This finding contributes to a deeper understanding of the Amazon’s ancestral history and helps preserve its cultural and ecological heritage.
Cris has worked with major news agencies such as Reuters, the Associated Press, Getty Images, and National Geographic, allowing him to document and share powerful stories worldwide. In addition, he is an independent publisher of his own books, including his most recent project, AMSTERDAM, a book published with the support of private investors, as part of a personal project that offers a unique aerial exploration of the city's canals.
Currently, Cris is focused on projects in the Amazon, exploring ways to protect its natural wonders while supporting the local communities that inhabit the region.
After years of collaborating with news agencies, Toala Olivares chose to take an independent path, focusing on three major projects:
AMSTERDAM: A visual exploration of the city’s canals, celebrating its timeless beauty from a unique aerial perspective.
Living with Volcanoes: An in-depth study of the world’s most active volcanoes and the resilient communities that live alongside them.
The Wadden Sea: A journey through the wildlife and untouched landscapes of this dynamic tidal ecosystem in Northern Europe.
His work has earned him numerous awards, including a Magnum Photography Award, and his storytelling expertise has led him to share his insights at prestigious events such as TED Talks.
AWARDS & HONOURS
• 2019: Xposure Sharjah UAE
• 2016: Magnum Photography Award
• 2015: MIFA Honorable Mention Edotorial-Environmental
• 2014: Zilveren Camera: Third Price Nature and Environment
• 2013: Young photography talent, selected by National Geographic, presented in issue October 2013
• 2013: New, Dutch Photography Talent 2013
• 2012: CPN (Canon Professional Network) Overall Favourite Image, Editor’s Choice
• 2009: Zilveren Camera: First Price foreign news
• 2009: Zilveren Camera: Third Price Portrait
BOOKS
• 2023: Amsterdam
• 2022: Book Living With Volcanoes
• 2014: Book The Amsterdam Canals
• 2013: Museum van Loon, book Gardens of Amsterdam Canals
• 2010 - present: Anne Frank House, Several documentation and publications
EXHIBITS
• 2019: International Photography Festival - Xposure Sharjah UAE
• 2017: Art Miami whit Cranio
• 2016: International Photoreporter Festival Saint-Brieuc France
• 2015: Fotofestival Naarden
• 2013: Museum Het Grachtenhuis , Amsterdam, The Netherlands, solo exhibition ‘The Amsterdam Canals’, presented by
National Geographic
• 2012: Look For Art Gallery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, duo exhibition ‘Fijne Hanen’ with Alice Wielinga
• 2012: Concordia, Enschede, The Netherlands, duo exhibition ‘Fijne Hanen’ with Alice Wielinga
CLIENTS
Reuters, Anne Frank Museum, Tenuta Luce Wine, Iamsterdam, Den Helder, National Geographic, GEO, The Guardian, Finale Ligure, De Jong Groep, El Universo Ecuador, Der Spiegel, Sony Japan, National Geographic Italia, Fjallraven, Waddensea World Heritage, , HanWag.