On this episode of The PHYS Podcast, Tyson Martin sits down with Puerto Rican photojournalist, documentary photographer, and visual storyteller JuanCarlos Gonzalez for a conversation about community, culture, identity, and the responsibility of telling stories with honesty and care.

Based in Plymouth, Vermont, JuanCarlos has built an internationally recognized body of work rooted in human connection and a deep respect for the people and places he photographs. Working across portraiture, documentary photography, events, and landscapes, his images celebrate resilience, dignity, and the quiet moments that often reveal the most about who we are.

In 2025, JuanCarlos was recognized as one of Leica's 100 Photographers, an honor that reflects both the quality of his work and his commitment to meaningful visual storytelling.

But long before international recognition, his passion for photography began in the coastal town of Maunabo, Puerto Rico.

Inspired by the photographs he discovered in newspapers and magazines, JuanCarlos became fascinated by the ability of a single image to communicate emotion, preserve history, and connect people across cultures. That curiosity eventually grew into a lifelong pursuit of documenting stories that matter.

Today, his work has appeared in publications including Leica Fotografie International (LFI), Vogue Italia, The Boston Globe, and National Geographic, among many others.

One of his most celebrated projects is Vermont Female Farmers, an ambitious portrait and documentary series highlighting 45 women helping shape the future of agriculture in Vermont. More than a photography project, it became a powerful cultural document exploring leadership, sustainability, community, and the evolving role of women in farming.

The project has toured nationally as a solo exhibition, been published as an acclaimed companion book, and is now held in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress.

Its impact continues to grow through exhibitions at institutions including the Fleming Museum of Art, Billings Farm & Museum, Bennington Museum, the Vermont State House, and Leica Gallery Boston, with additional exhibitions scheduled through 2026.

Beyond photography, JuanCarlos spent six years serving as Director of Arts Programming at IBA Boston, New England's largest Latinx nonprofit organization, helping create and support community-focused cultural initiatives throughout the region.

In this episode, Tyson and JuanCarlos discuss storytelling, representation, community engagement, and why photographing people with respect and empathy remains more important than ever.

In This Episode:

• JuanCarlos Gonzalez's journey from Puerto Rico to Vermont
• Being named one of Leica's 100 Photographers
• The inspiration behind the Vermont Female Farmers project
• Creating documentary work rooted in trust and authentic connection
• The responsibility of photographing communities with care and respect
• How portraiture can preserve culture, history, and identity
• Lessons learned from exhibiting work nationally and internationally
• His work with IBA Boston and community-based arts programming
• Upcoming projects exploring Puerto Rico, agriculture, and climate change
• Why storytelling begins with listening

JuanCarlos's work reminds us that photography is ultimately about people.

The strongest photographs are not created through technical perfection alone. They emerge through trust, empathy, patience, and a willingness to truly understand the stories unfolding in front of the lens.

His images celebrate both individual lives and collective experiences, creating visual narratives that preserve culture while helping audiences connect more deeply with one another.

This conversation is an inspiring exploration of documentary photography, photojournalism, cultural storytelling, and the importance of creating work that serves both communities and history.

Whether you're a photographer, journalist, artist, educator, storyteller, or someone passionate about meaningful human connection, this episode offers valuable insight into building a life and career centered around purpose.

Because great photography doesn't just show us what something looks like.

It helps us understand why it matters.

Follow JuanCarlos Gonzalez
Instagram: @juankasfoto
Threads: @juankasfoto
Website: www.juankasfoto.com

Book: Vermont Female Farmers