Diego Ibarra Sánchez

Diego Ibarra Sánchez is a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and educator, based in Lebanon, who specializes in-depth long-form visual stories. He is a regular contributor for THE NEW YORK TIMES, France 24 Latino, and UNICEF

He published his first photo book “THE PHOENICIAN COLLAPSE”, in 2022 by FOTOEVIDENCE and ARCHIVO JALÓN ÁNGEL

Diego assumes a very critical stance regarding the use of images in our own society, defining this historical moment as a «lobotomized era of “tourism” on the other’s pain». In his work, he endeavors to ensure that photography is no longer merely a window allowing a view of what happens in the world but becomes a means to raise questions and generate reflections.

In 2006 several grants allowed Diego to spend a year in South America to improve his storytelling process. Upon returning to Spain he worked for two years for the Catalan newspaper Avui, while still continuing his own photography projects.

In 2009 Diego decided to move to Pakistan where he developed a strong visual body of work focused on Pakistan. At the same time, he continued traveling to several other countries including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Libya, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

He left Pakistan in 2014 and he is currently based in Lebanon while he keeps working on his long project "Hijacked Education" to highlight how war affects education around the world.

Awards/ Mentions

- Pictures of the Year LATAM 2023 ( Fotoperiodistas por el mundo: trabajo destacado)
- Aragón Journalism Association Award 2023, Special Mention
- Best independent photo book by LUCIE awards 2022
- Award of Excellence by Pictures of the Year International 2021 for “THAWRA: Lebanese Revolution” in the "Impact” Category
- Award of Excellence by Pictures of the Year International 2021 for “THAWRA Protests and Movements" Category
- News Photo Awards 2021, Special Opinion
- La Buena Prensa 2021
- Getty Images Grant 2020
- 2nd place Photographer of the Year POY Latam 2019
- Honorable mentions at the Photographers Association (NPPA) for "Dispatches from Mosul" ( International News Picture Story National Press)
- Honorable mentions at the Photographers Association (NPPA) for "Hijacked Education" (Contemporary Issues Story) on 2017
- Aragón Journalism Association Award on 2017
- Third place at FINI´s Mexican University Photo Award on 2016
- First place at International Photographic Awards (IPA non-pro) on 2012
- Second place at the Humanitarian Award of AECID “Juan Bartolomé” on 2011
- Spanish Human Right Award with MeMo coop on 2011
- Special mention III International AWARDS against Violence. Centro Reina Sofía de Valencia on 2010
- ARAGON PRESS ASSOCIATON GRANT. Landmines affected in Western Sahara, Argel on 2008
- ARAGON PRESS ASSOCIATON GRANT. Consequences of war: Bosnia on 2007
- ARAGON PRESS ASSOCIATON GRANT. 6 months of learning ship in La Nación, Buenos Aires, Argentina on 2006