Rio de Janeiro's Carnival Is the Biggest Party on Earth-Here's What It Was Like Photographing It

"This was my fifth Carnival, but it was the first time I'd attended as a photographer. I realized that the themes are not just about aesthetics. They offer a different way to talk about social issues in the country. In each parade, you see people with disabilities, children, people in wheelchairs, elderly people, LGBTQ people. Everybody is involved. I angled my camera toward the performers to capture their fervor, and then I turned toward the crowd and felt the exact same energy."

"Everybody wears designer costumes tied to a theme; for 2025, it was 'infinite ocean blue.' It's a very elegant, opulent event at the Copacabana Palace, a Belmond Hotel. Many people were dancing-there was a live band and a DJ playing electronic music-and a buffet that took up an entire hall! My attention kept drifting to a few older couples, dressed in their best outfits, taking in the scene. You could tell that they'd been attending this gala all of their lives."

Rio de Janeiro's Carnival centers on four nights of samba-school parades at the Sambadrome, where more than 100 schools perform themed presentations, many drawing on Afro-Brazilian religions. Parades integrate participants of all ages and abilities, including people with disabilities, children, people in wheelchairs, elderly participants, and LGBTQ people, creating visible social inclusion. Performers and spectators share an intense, unified energy throughout the stadium. The Copa Ball at the Copacabana Palace provides an elegant, opulent counterpoint with designer costumes tied to a theme, live bands, DJs, and an enormous buffet. Longstanding attendees and older couples lend continuity and history to the gala. Both events combine spectacle, cultural expression, and opportunities to address social themes.

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