Jose Fernandes

Jose Fernandes was born in Angola, Africa, to Madeiran Portuguese parents and grew up in Lisbon, Portugal.  At 18 he immigrated to the USA by earning a tennis scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University, where he graduated in Economics.  His documentary photography career was shaped by his first photography stint, in fashion, where he won an Alpha award, by living through Hurricane Katrina as well as an earlier career in stock brokerage, but especially as a door to door furniture salesman in the rural areas north of New Orleans which put him, for years, in close contact with African American communities.  He has published in Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast, Mo, Damn, Monument, Publico among others.  He has collaborated in several books from culinary to social issues including “Luso Belgae” about Portuguese immigrants in Belgium and “L’Avana” about Havana’s Culture, published in Italy.  Recently he has participated in exhibitions at NOMA, CAC Museum, Ogden Museum, Louisiana Photography Biennial, Prospect 3 and 4 and PhotoNOLA  besides others.