Alvin Baez

Biography

Puerto Rico, b. 1978

Alvin was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is a graduate of the Esnesto Ramos Antonini music school, where he completed his middle and high-school education, with an emphasis on double bass and other musical instruments.

In 1997, he enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico, where he received an Associate degree in history. Two years later, he transferred to the University of the Sacred Heart to complete his Bachelors degree in communications. Báez began his photojournalistic career in 1999, when the weekly newspaper Claridad recruited him to cover the conflict surrounding the U.S. Navy and its use of Vieques island.

He worked there for two years, until being hired by the newspaper El Vocero when he was  just 21 years old. Over the next twelve years, his focus has been the documentation of stories with a social aspect, especially focusing on those minority communities that are marginalized and abused by larger interests.

He has won numerous awards and recognition by NGO’s, journalism organizations, and the government, including the Overseas Press Club, the Puerto Rican Journalist’s Association, and the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. His work has been published widely in national and international publications, and he has worked with international news agencies such as Getty Images and Reuters.

2022- Edward R. Murrow Award: FIRST PLACE - 2022 Digital Portfolio (Univision) 

2022- National Press Photographers Association (NPPA): FIRST PLACE - 2022 Portfolio Visual Presentation (Univision) 

2018- Breaking News of the Year (2017) in the Reuters Journalists of the Year Contest (group).

2011- OPC in Human Interest Award- Series 

2010- OPC in Human Interest Award- Series

2010- Culture Institute of Puerto Rico and Government Special Award Mandín Rodriguez, second place 

2009- OPC in Human Interest Award- series 

2008- OPC in Human Interest Award- single 

2008- Photojournalist Association of Puerto Rico (PAPR) Hard News Award 

2007- Overseas Press Club (OPC) of Puerto Rico Special Award Eddie Crespo, Photographic Excellency of the Year 

2007- OPC in Human Interest Award- single 

2007- OPC in Human Interest Award- Series(2) 

2007- OPC in Human Interest Award- Series 

2007- OPC Award in Hard News 

2007- Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and Government Special Award Mandín Rodriguez, Photographic Excellency  

2007- Iniciativa Comunitaria Non-Profit Organization Award: Photojournalist of the Year for Humanitarian work in Guatemala 

2006- Photojournalist Association of Puerto Rico (PAPR) Special Award Jack Delano, Photographer of the Year  

2006- PAPR Hard News Award 2006- PAPR in Human Interest Award- single 

2006- PAPR in Human Interest Award- series 2006- OPC in Human Interest Award- non-published photo category 

2005- PAPR Hard News Award