Essdras Suarez

Essdras M Suarez is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist with a career spanning more than three decades. Known for his ability to blend visual storytelling with technical mastery, he spent 20 years as a staff photographer for major U.S. newspapers before moving into freelance and entrepreneurial work.

After leaving the newsroom, Essdras served as Chief Photographer for the Israeli photo start-up Million Eyez and later founded EMS Photo Adventures, where he leads photography workshops around the world. In his own words, “I am photography”—a statement that reflects his versatility across genres including photojournalism, travel, street, documentary, food, portrait, and product photography.

Through EMS Photo Adventures, he mentors aspiring photographers via private and group workshops conducted locally, nationally, and internationally. He also offers virtual training and leads a team of award-winning photographers and educators.

Essdras is also a television personality. He hosted “Enfoque Natural,” a Panamanian TV series (2022–2023), in which he traveled across the country using his lens to explore culture and nature while sharing insights into his photographic process. A new season is currently in production.

A sought-after speaker and educator, Essdras has presented across five continents. He has served as a U.S. State Department Expert Speaker, taught photojournalism at Boston University’s College of Communications, and delivered lectures at institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Northeastern University, and the University of Florida.

Speaking Engagements and Conferences Include:
Xposure International Photo Festival, Road Scholar’s Adventures Online Series
Smithsonian Associates: “Panama Visions – Commerce, Culture & Biodiversity”
YPO/WPO: Speaker in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Peru. Bombay Tech Fest (India)
TBEX: Travel Blog Exchange, Educational Travel Conference (ETC),
NECCC Annual Photography Conference (Amherst, MA)

Workshops and Photo Programs Led In:
Washington, D.C.; New York; San Diego; Cape Cod; Canada; Mexico; Cuba;
Panama; Costa Rica; Ecuador; El Salvador; Peru; Bermuda; Ireland; Israel;
Croatia; UAE; Tanzania; Kenya; and more.
Career Highlights and Honors:
Judge: Xposure International Photography Festival (2025- 2023- 2019)
Instructor: International Center for Journalism, Sri Lanka (2023)
Recipient: Key to the City of Panama (2021)
Medal of Honor: Universidad Santa María la Antigua, Panama (2021)
Finalist: dearMoon Project (2020), 1 of 20 from over 1 million applicants
Judge: Travel Photographer of the Year (2019)
Featured speaker: Nikon Z Series Latin America
Exhibitor and instructor: Xposure Photo Festival (2018–2019)
Pulitzer Prize: Boston Globe, Boston Marathon Bombing Coverage (2014)
Pulitzer Prize: Rocky Mountain News, Columbine Shooting (2000)
Robert F. Kennedy International Photojournalism Award
Gerald Loeb Award for Business Journalism
Multiple awards from the Boston Press Photographers Association and
Colorado Press Association
Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards (2005, 2007)
Contributor: PSA Journal (2019–2020)

Additional Background:
Essdras was born and raised in Panama City, Panama. He moved to the United
States in 1985 and earned a journalism degree with a specialization in
photojournalism from the University of Florida in 1993. He is married to
Sara Suarez, a seven-time Emmy-winning journalist and news director.
He is also a lifelong martial artist, holding a black belt in Ninpo Tai
Jutsu. He created visYoga®, a hybrid physical conditioning system that blends
yoga, martial arts, and strength training. He is the creator of the 365 Daily
Fitness Challenge and, as of May 2025, has completed over seven consecutive
years of daily workouts without a single rest day.

Schedule a 1-on-1 Session

Essdras M Suarez is offering attendees of MAVP the opportunity to meet with him one on one! Find out more about what the one on one session entails by viewing the PDF below and schedule your 1-0n-1 Session with Essdras M Suarez when you register. Sessions are limited. Don’t delay.

Portfolio Review with Essdras M Suarez (PDF)

Contact Information:
Web: essdrasmsuarez.com | emsphotoadventures.com