Iván Macías (born June 15, 1986) is a prominent Mexican documentary photographer, recognized with a World Press Photo award in 2021. With a background in mechatronics engineering, he has built a body of work that blends technical rigor with a profound humanist perspective, treating documentary photography as a compelling medium for advocacy and social consciousness.
As a member of the autistic community, Iván leverages his platform to actively promote neurodivergence awareness and the rights of people with disabilities. He integrates his own perspective within the autism spectrum as a vital axis to construct an intimate, honest, and empathetic visual narrative. This commitment is embodied in high-impact projects such as the exhibition «Looking Inward: Autism and Photography,» presented at prestigious venues including the Museum of the Photographic Archive (MAF) and the National Institute of Genomic Medicine (INMEGEN).
His career has been recognized with over 25 international awards, notably multiple accolades from the Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) and the International Photography Awards (IPA). In 2021, Forbes Magazine named him one of «The 100 Most Creative Mexicans.» He is also the author of the book Huellas de la Pandemia (2021), a visual tribute to frontline healthcare workers.
Iván currently serves as an official ambassador for Sony and Honor. Alongside his photographic practice, he is an active speaker and educator, sharing his expertise at leading Mexican institutions such as UNAM, the Franz Mayer Museum, and the Palace of Fine Arts (Palacio de Bellas Artes). His mission is to demonstrate that visual art is a fundamental bridge for the understanding and inclusion of neurodivergent minds.
Awards & Recognition
2025 | NTD International Photography Competition
Third Place, Nature and Landscape
2025 | México en una Imagen
Finalist, Official Selection
2025 | International Photography Awards
Honorable Mention, Editorial category
Honorable Mention, People category
Honorable Mention, Events-Traditions category
2025 | Retratando la Complejidad, UNAM
Winner
2025 | Tokyo International Foto Awards
Honorable Mention, People-Event category
2025 | Budapest Foto Awards
Bronze Medal, People-Culture category
Honorable Mention, Social-Traditions category
2024 | World Photography Organization
Shortlisted
2024 | Tokyo International Foto Awards
Silver Winner, People-Culture category
Honorable Mention, Editorial-Photo Essay category
2023 | Tokyo International Foto Awards
First Place, Editorial-News category
2023 | One Eyeland Awards
Gold Medal, Editorial category
2023 | One Eyeland Mobile Awards
Silver Medal, Street category
Medalla de Plata en la categoría Paisaje
2023 | One Eyeland Street Photo
Silver Medal, Portrait category
Bronze Medal, Others category
Finalist, Portrait category
Finalist, Others category
2022 | Festival Internacional De Fotografía en León
Finalist, Official Selection, Urban category
2022 | Honorary Doctorate
Awarded by the Claustro Doctoral Honoris Causa A.C.
2022 | México en una Imagen
Third Place, Professional category
2022 | One Eyeland Street Photographers
Gold Medal, General category
Bronze Medal, Geometry category
2022 | One Eyeland Wildlife Photo
Silver Medal, Animal Portrait category
Silver Medal, Black and White category
Bronze Medal, Birds category
2022 | Tokyo International Foto Awards
Official Selection, People-Culture category
2022| International Photography Awards
Official Selection, People-Traditions category
Official Selection, Traditions-Event category
2021 | Forbes
Named one of the "100 Most Creative Mexicans"
2021 | World Press Photo
Second Prize, Portraits category
2020 | México en una Imagen
First Place, Professional category
2020 | International Photography Awards
Third Place, Deeper Perspective category
Honorable Mention, People category
Honorable Mention, Event-Social Cause category
2019 | TARES
Third Place, Architecture Photography.
2019 | International Photography Awards
Second Place, Night Photography category
Lastest Solo Exhibitions
2025 | Museum of the Photographic Archive
«Looking Inward: Autism and Photography»
2025 | Mexico City Metro System
«Fire and Faith in Tultepec»
22025 | National Institute of Genomic Medicine
«Autism»
2024 | Museum of the Photographic Archive
«Autism»
2025 | Foro Valparaíso
«Autism»
2023 | Casa Refugio Citaltépetl
«Evolutions»