Brazil in Black and White

THE LIFE OF NORDESTE

In the coastal communities of northeastern Brazil, survival plays out under the harsh sun. Fishermen face the sea’s uncertainty at dawn, while beach vendors and barraca workers rely on tides and tourists to make a living. From crepes to cocktails, ice cream to horse riding, each day is a hustle shaped by nature and necessity.

Beach mornings in Combuco

Early mornings where the giant dunes and the Atlantic ocean meets.

Portraits of the North East

Life is hard, and the future holds little change, but that does not stop the big smiles.

From state to state

Snapshots from a road trip

From Habana to the end of the world.

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Between the barracas and the tide

The term barracas refers to the small beach shacks or kiosks, typically found along Brazil’s coastal areas, offering refreshments, local food, and sometimes music, all set up to cater to beachgoers. These are usually informal, rustic spaces where the energy of the beach and local culture collide.

Between a crêpe stall and a surfboard

The last fishermen of Ponta Negra live between worlds. Squeezed between crepe stalls, surf schools, and beachfront barracas, they cling to a way of life slowly being edged out by tourism. Their jangadas rest quietly on the sand—small, weathered boats that once ruled the tide. Now, their presence is almost symbolic, a reminder of the sea-bound traditions that built this place.

Nordeste

Home of legends like Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Luiz Gonzaga and I think there is a hotel called Pelé by the beach.