Top 10 Jiu-Jitsu Photographers

The inaugural Worlds captured by Ricardo Azoury

In February of 1996, photographer Ricardo Azoury changed my Jiu-Jitsu perspective, when he handed me a few photographs of the inaugural World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Azoury was the late Rolls Gracie best friend, and was curious about the tournament. So he went to Tijuca Tenis Clube without any assignment and, with his fixed 135mm lenses and a Nikon FM2 body, spent a few rolls of Kodak B&W films during the blackbelt finals.

When I saw the copies, a few weeks later, I got enchanted.

We became close friends and, as the co-founder of one of the first independent photo agencies in Brazil, he mentored me not only in photography but also in journalism. He deserves much of the credit for how the Jornal Gracie became GRACIEMAG–And the rest is history.

Since then, I was lucky enough to get to work alongside several great photojournalists in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. These are my top 10:

1. Ricardo Azoury

Azoury's Brazilian President Funeral shot became cover of the biggest news magazine in Brazil.

He may be a bit old (sorry, mate, couldn’t resist) and his contact lenses should read a high degree at this point, but Azoury still is the champ. Unfortunately for Jiu-Jitsu fans, he fell in love with underwater photography and is been away from BJJ tournaments. But, if we place him in the line-up to shoot the absolute blackbelt final, I bet he will take the cover shot, the same way he did for ‘Veja’ magazine in the occasion of Brazilian President Tancredo Neves’ death, despite of the presence of hundreds of peers disputing the very same scene, back in 1985.

2. Gustavo Aragão

Jacaré vs Roger: One of the most historical moments of Jiu-Jitsu, by Gustavo Aragão

My fellow GRACIEMAG staff member is also a pupil of Azoury, and it’s not only my loyalty the reason he places second on my list. Aragao will endure for days in a row to capture thousands of photos of hundreds matches in a tiresome tournament. And he’s been doing it since 1996–so he has some mileage to increase his Page Ranking.

3. Mike Colón

The GOAT Roger Gracie, by Mike Colón

A celebrity on wedding photography, and a former professional sport photographer before start shooting weddings, Colón is also capable of winning the race for the cover shot, that’s for sure. He’s actually nailed it a couple of times, to be accurate. And has a great edge on his résumé: he’s now also a great Jiu-Jitsu competitor. So don’t get fulled by his smile–he not only can shoot a great moment but he may as well triangle you. In a blink.

4. Dan Rod

Bernardo Faria, Jiu-Jitsu Pan 2011, by Dan Rod

He’s probably the next big star on this field. Dan pics are sharp, and when the thing gets serious, he put on a bandana a la “Susumu Nagao” around his head and stretches through the ground, looking for the best angles. It’s very easy to recognize him, as he wears a gi pants when shooting.

5. Alicia Anthony

The choke moment, by Alicia Anthony

Alicia is another SoCal gem that erupted after the Jiu-Jitsu tournament axle moved to the region. She is the American “Aragao” as she never misses an important match in a tournament. At this point she probably owns the biggest archive about tournaments held on California and will keep improving, as she loves Jiu-Jitsu.

6. Ray Santana

Rilion Gracie's Jiu-Jitsu guard, profiled by Ray Santana

Just like Mike Colón, Rilion’s student Ray Santana is also professionally known more by his wedding pictures, but he’s very capable of great shots when two guys are wearing a gi on, as well. I particularly like his shot for the cover our issue 143.

7. Regis Chen

Tarsis Humprheys Jiu-Jitsu sweep registered by Regis Chen

San Clemente based Regis Chen is a talent that we are lucky enough to have taking picture on every Worlds, since 2007. Like Dan, he likes the ground level angle, and has an unique style. I also love the way he masters the photo programs.

8. Susumu Nagao

A classic Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu hold applied during the UFC, by Susumu Nagao

Pioneer on fight pictures, Susumu was the only photographer I know who was present at both UFC and Pride and ADCC inaugural events. He’s a master in MMA pics and a legend. Haven’t been too much present on Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, but deserves his place among these aces.

9. Marcelo Alonso

Alonso took a picture of one of my fights in the first World, back in 1996

It would be just unfair not to list Marcelo on this list. He worked (and led) our competitor vehicle “Tatame” in Brazil for years (now he works on PVT magazine) and I needed to publicly recognize his value not only as a photographer but also as a journalist–he was one of the few (myself humbling included) that from the beginning was capable of traveling alone and then report, write, edit and take pictures at the same time. A skill very valuable when resources are limited.

10. Ivan Trindade

The Mendes Brothers on the upcoming GRACIEMAG cover, by Ivan Trindade

One of GRACIEMAG current editors, Ivan was given a camera at some point and learned how to take pictures in action. He’s part of this lineage of versatile professionals who can travel alone to cover an event. Although his journalist blood is still more dense, his pictures are improving over and over and is my bet for becoming a multifunctional professional as good in every field as any specialist.

Well, this field is very strong and I admit there are lots of talent out of my list, honorable mentions to Mike Poesch, Guilherme Rafols, and my big buddy John Lamonica, just to name a few. But I can’t accommodate everyone, otherwise there would not be space for any controversy

By the way, do you have your own favorites? Feel free to craft your own list and post in the comments’ space below.