Vinicius Marmo Azevedo: Capturing the Thrill of Brazilian Racing with Champion Raphael Reis

For over a decade, Vinicius Marmo Azevedo has been carving a name for himself as a visual artist, professional photographer, and director of photography, working across diverse sectors like corporate, editorial, and entertainment. But it's his passion for sports that truly ignites his creative fire. 

Based in Orlando, Florida, Vinicius has leveraged his technical prowess and artistic vision to craft compelling visual narratives for major national and international companies, documenting stories across the U.S., South America, and Europe. One of his most notable collaborations? His multi-year partnership with Brazilian racing champion, Raphael Reis.

From 2020 to 2022, Vinicius was entrusted with shaping the visual identity of Raphael Reis, a highly respected professional driver in Brazil and Latin America. This wasn't just about snapping photos; it was about building a brand. "My collaboration with Raphael Reis represents one of the most significant and strategic photographic partnerships in my career," Vinicius explains. 

"Raphael understood the value of building a strong visual narrative around his trajectory in motorsports. From the very beginning, my role extended far beyond simply taking pictures—I became responsible for developing and maintaining the visual storytelling of his journey on and off the track."

Working across multiple racing categories, including TCR South America and Stock Car Brasil, Vinicius meticulously documented each season. He ensured consistency, creativity, and a high level of professionalism in every image and video produced. "Raphael gave me full creative freedom and trusted my ability to choose and deliver the right images that would represent him to his fans, sponsors, and the press," Vinicius recounts. "My work helped to reinforce his image, not only as a competitor, but as a brand in a highly competitive and media-driven sport."

Documenting the races required a nuanced understanding of the intricate world of motorsport. Vinicius immersed himself in every aspect of the race weekend, from the initial track walks and tire testing to the crucial team briefings and final podium celebrations. "Each race weekend involved several key moments: track walks, tire testing, team briefings, box preparations, warm-ups, qualifying, race days, and finally, the podium ceremony," he explains.

His photographic coverage spanned the full spectrum of emotions and activities, capturing Raphael's intense focus during preparation, the adrenaline-fueled action on the track, and the joyous celebrations after a victory. Vinicius also understood the importance of timely delivery. "I was also responsible for selecting and delivering daily highlights (around 10 key images) for immediate use on Raphael’s social media and press releases," he says. These carefully curated selections played a crucial role in maintaining Raphael's public image, solidifying connections with sponsors, and maximizing media exposure. Raphael trusted Vinicius’s artistic and editorial judgement to ensure his content aligned with his professional goals.

Beyond the thrilling action shots, Vinicius excelled at capturing intimate "behind the scenes" moments that revealed the human side of the racing champion. "Yes, many of the most meaningful shots came from behind the scenes," Vinicius explains. "These included intimate moments with his team in the pit lane, conversations with engineers and strategists, focused expressions before entering the car, and moments of joy with family and friends after victories." 

These authentic, unscripted photos are core to his expertise as a photographer, as they went beyond mere performance. These shots humanize the athlete and tell a powerful story of behind-the-scenes effort, emotion, and unwavering support. In fact, they offered fans a rare glimpse into the dedication and camaraderie that define the racing world.

Working so closely with Raphael Reis, Vinicius gained invaluable insight into the demanding world of professional car racing. "Working so closely with Raphael taught me that consistency and resilience are the foundations of motorsport," he reveals. "There were weekends with brilliant results, and others marked by unexpected challenges—collisions, mechanical failures, tire issues. It’s a sport where performance is not only physical but also mental and strategic." This understanding translated into a more nuanced and compelling visual narrative, capturing the unpredictable nature of the sport and the mental fortitude required to succeed.

Vinicius also learned to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the racetrack. "From a photographer’s perspective, I learned to anticipate and adapt—whether shooting under harsh sun, heavy rain, or strong winds, each track and weather condition required study, planning, and precision to deliver the best possible results," he said.

His technical mastery, honed through years of experience, allowed him to consistently deliver stunning images, regardless of the challenges.

In the world of motorsport, sponsors are paramount. Vinicius understood the crucial role they play and meticulously integrated them into his photographs. "Sponsors are essential in motorsport—not only for funding the teams and operations but also as part of the athlete’s visual communication," Vinicius explains. 

"I made sure that each photo captured sponsor visibility in a professional and appealing way, aligning with brand values and aesthetics. Whether it was a logo on the car, the racing suit, or a backdrop, these visual elements were carefully considered to ensure that every image could serve both marketing and storytelling purposes."

While his primary focus was on documenting Raphael Reis's journey, Vinicius also had the opportunity to photograph other prominent figures in the sport. "During the years I worked with Raphael, I also photographed several of his teammates and major figures in the sport," he says. 

"At TCR, he raced alongside Pepe Oriola, and in the Stock Car series, with drivers like Zezinho Muggiati. I also had the opportunity to photograph iconic Brazilian racing legends such as Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Fraga, Cacá Bueno, and IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan." 

Capturing these legendary figures in the same frame elevated the significance of the events and enriched Vinicius’s already impressive visual archive of motorsport history.

Vinicius Marmo Azevedo's work extends far beyond the racetrack. His talent has been recognized internationally, with exhibitions in prestigious venues such as Times Square in New York, the GPU Photography Exhibition in Egypt, and the Tuscany Photo Awards in Italy. He is a member of several professional organizations, including Professional Photographers of America, American Photographic Artists, and the National Press Photographers Association. Through his dedication to technical excellence and his unwavering commitment to visual storytelling, Vinicius continues to blend creative direction with technical expertise in every project he undertakes.

To see more of Vinicius Marmo Azevedo's photos, visit his website at www.viniciusmarmo.com.