PhotoVogue's Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo Reflects on Cairo Photo Week

CairoScene

12-05-2025

In an exclusive interview, PhotoVogue's Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo unpacks the platform's approach to image-making, the power of storytelling, and why Cairo Photo Week left a lasting impression.
May 12, 2025
As one of the leading curators at PhotoVogue—the global photography platform under Vogue Italia—Daniel Rodríguez Gordillo holds a front-row seat to the evolution of visual storytelling. During his recent trip to Egypt for Cairo Photo Week, we caught up with Rodríguez Gordillo to discuss what makes a compelling image, the ethos behind PhotoVogue, and his reflections on Cairo's growing photography scene.
In the video interview, Rodríguez Gordillo offers rare insight into the selection process at PhotoVogue, revealing that aesthetics, while important, often come second to the depth and urgency of the story being told. 'Sometimes a photograph is beautiful,' he explains, 'but beauty alone doesn't carry it. We're looking for voices—for something that feels necessary.'
That belief in the photograph as a vessel for narrative was echoed throughout Cairo Photo Week - a festival Rodríguez Gordillo described as impressive in its scale, ambition, and calibre of talent. From emerging Egyptian image-makers to international exhibitions, he noted the diversity of perspectives and the fearless experimentation on display.
Rodríguez Gordillo's visit underscores Cairo Photo Week's growing reputation as a platform not just for showcasing work, but for shaping the future of photography in the region. And in a world flooded with images, it's that commitment to story, purpose, and place that makes the difference.
Cairo Photo Week 2025 is running till May 18th across Downtown Cairo and in the Cairo Design District in New Cairo.