Carlos “Kako” Escalona was born and raised in Cuba. He graduated in Film Production from ISA, University of the Arts of Havana in 2008, but later traded his profession in the motion picture for his deeper vocation to tell stories with still images.

His career is made of the confluence of photojournalism, education and visual arts. Kako's camera is both a ticket and a tool to delve into his great passions: history, travel and social, cultural and (geo)political issues.

Until 2018, he covered daily life and major events for independent Cuban outlets while teaching "Photojournalism and Social Documentary" workshop at American University, the University of Havana, and ISA. His series “People of Cocodrilos: Last Faces of a Village Dommed to Disappear” was exhibited at the XIII Havana Biennial in 2015.

Having grown up in the midst of two opposing Cuban realities, Kako is drawn to crossing borders and approach to diverse perspectives with empathy, seeking to reconcile conflicting worldviews from a human perspective. This vision inspired "Common Places: Everyday Life on Both Sides of the Florida Straits," a five-year project that ended as a book in 2019.

Currently based in Houston, TX, Kako takes photography assignments for DoorDash while keeping an eye on breaking news and potential visual stories about migration, energy transition, climate crisis and the U.S. political landscape. His images have been featured in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, El Pais, Houston Chronicle, NPR, FOX and CNN. 

Kako Escalona is a member of the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA). 

Exhibitions

12th Biennial of Havana "People of Cocodrilos"

Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Havana  "People of Cocodrilos"

Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Havana. "common places | lugares comunes"

Annemberg Space for Photography. L.A.  "Resolviendo"

Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Havana "Ceda el Paso"