One of our students in the Master in Travel Journalism, Héctor Ruiz Golobart, has just been featured in an interview with National Geographic Traveler Spain, where he speaks about his work as an ethnographic photographer across Africa. It’s a recognition that fills us with pride, and one we wanted to share with our whole community.
A passion that became a calling
For years, Héctor has been documenting the extraordinary ethnic diversity of Africa’s tribes, with a particular focus on the central role women play within these communities. That work has grown into an ambitious photography project, Faces of Africa, which is now finding its way into leading publications like National Geographic.
In the interview, Héctor reflects on the relationship between photography, tourism, and cultural preservation, how photographic interest can, in some cases, help keep alive traditions that might otherwise disappear.
Why we’re sharing this
Because it’s exactly the kind of path we aim to nurture at the school: students who combine a strong narrative eye with the ability to tell real stories, responsibly and with integrity. Seeing that work published in a title like National Geographic is proof the approach works.
If you’re considering studying with us and wondering what career paths open up after the program, this is a very concrete answer: our students go on to publish, collaborate with international outlets, and build their own careers as travel storytellers.
You can read the full interview on National Geographic Spain and explore more of Héctor’s work on his personal website.
What travel journalism students can learn from his approach
Héctor’s work is a good example of what we try to instill in every cohort: patience, respect for the people being photographed, and a willingness to spend real time in a place before telling its story. Ethnographic photography, done well, is not about capturing an exotic image quickly. It’s about building trust first, understanding context, and only then picking up the camera.
That same principle runs through the Master in Travel Journalism and the Master in Travel Narrative: strong storytelling starts with strong reporting, not with a striking headline. Students learn to research a place, find the right sources, and only then shape a narrative that does justice to what they’ve found.
Are you a current or former student with a similar story to tell? Get in touch, we’d love to help share your work.
