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Javier Cortés is a director and photographer, born in Madrid and currently based between Mexico and Spain. His work is defined by a strong cinematic aesthetic, visual storytelling, and a refined sensitivity for actor direction, which he brings to life across fashion, beauty, advertising, and personal projects.
He began his journey working as an assistant to renowned photographers and cinematographers, gradually shaping his own voice through hands-on experience, travel, and mentorship from some of cinema’s most iconic figures such as the Oscar winner Philippe Rousselot (Big Fish, Harry Potter, Planet of the Apes..), Andrzej Sekula (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs or American Psycho), and Bradford Young (Arrival, Star Wars:Han Solo). This foundation, combined with his background in analog and portrait photography, gave rise to a unique visual language where light, emotion, and concept flow naturally together.
He has worked with brands such as Vogue, L’Oréal, Audi, Zara, Cartier, Estée Lauder, Garnier, Canon, Hugo Boss, Lancôme, Oysho, Swatch, Glamour, Shiseido, and Esquire, creating campaigns that connect through both narrative and visual depth. Specialized in fashion, beauty, hair, celebrity work, perfume, and alcohol brands.
A significant part of his reel has been both directed and shot by him, ensuring a cohesive emotional and aesthetic vision throughout each piece.
His personal work has been recognized by Magnum Photos and the British Journal of Photography, and exhibited across Europe, the U.S., Africa, and Australia as part of the Portrait of Humanity project.
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2020, Portrait of Humanity, Clear channel exhibition in Milan, Padova, Naples and Vicenza, Italy2020 Portrait of Humanity, Clear channel exhibition, Mexico (March 2020)
2020, Organ Vida International Photography Festival, Zagreb, Croatia
2020, Clear Channel, Global screen exhibition.
2020, Louisiana State Museum as part of PhotoNOLA Festival, New Orleans, United States
2019, Art on a Postcard, Photo London Festival , London, England
2019, LagosPhoto Festival, Lagos, Nigeria
2019, National Centre For Photography, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
2020, Louisiana State Museum as part of PhotoNOLA Festival, New Orleans, United States
2019, Art on a Postcard, Photo London Festival , London, England
2019, LagosPhoto Festival, Lagos, Nigeria
2019, National Centre For Photography, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
Photography Awards:
2019, WINNER Portrait of Humanity / Magnum Photography and British Journal of Photography awardBooks
Portrait of Humanity: 200 images that celebrate Global Unity.Magnum Photography / Hoxton Press / BJP1854
Education
2014, CINEMA degree, Cinematography
Efti Cinema School, Madrid, Spain
Studied cinema and have the great great pleasure to learn from big talents as Phillipe Roussellot - Oscar winner, (DP of Harry Potter Fantastic Animals, Big Fish, Planet of the apes...) Andrzej Sekula (DP of Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs or American Psicho) or my dear Bradford Young which was nominated for an Oscar (Star Wars Han Solo, When they see us...) or great 1ADs as one of Robert Mezeckis´s ADs
2012, Isabel Muñoz assistant (2 World Press Photo winner)
2011, Photography and creativity degree, EFTI, Madrid, Spain