Ana Backhaus
Ana Silva Backhaus is a Portuguese documentary photographer celebrated for her deeply emotive and authentic depictions of family and real-life moments. Based in Dubai for over thirteen years, Ana draws on her background in architecture and her experience in the travel industry, both of which inform the depth, composition, and narrative strength of her visual storytelling. She began her journey in photography over a decade ago, and for the last five years, it has become her full-time vocation.
Her distinctive work combines sensitivity, humour, and artistic precision, allowing her to connect
Ana’s photographic style is characterised by honesty, meticulous attention to detail, and playful yet thoughtful visual language. Her work has received numerous awards and is featured in PhotoVogue, with notable publications including Vanity Fair Italia. In 2020, she held a solo exhibition at Santa Cruz Beach in partnership with the Torres Vedras City Council, honouring a beloved Portuguese tradition celebrated annually on 15 August. Her work was selected for the Elles Mitraillent exhibition at the 59 Rivoli Art Gallery in Paris in 2022 and shortlisted for the Family (Un)Xpected group show at Les Rencontres d’Arles.
In 2023, Ana exhibited at Expo Metro in Barcelona and was invited to World Art Dubai in 2024 through the Circle Foundation for the Arts. These exhibitions highlight her growing presence in the international art scene and the increasing recognition of her emotionally resonant body of work.
Ana is deeply committed to continuous personal and artistic growth. She regards personal projects as a vital space for experimentation, reflection, and evolution—tools that allow her to challenge creative boundaries while refining her perspective. Her photography does more than capture moments; it invites viewers into layered narratives filled with subtle beauty and emotional depth. With a focus on real lives, Ana’s work brings forward the poetry of everyday existence and the nuances of human connection, offering visual stories that are both highly personal and universally engaging.
Ana’s dedication to visual storytelling is not just artistic but also deeply human. She uses her camera as a bridge between cultures, emotions, and lived experiences, celebrating the timeless value of sincere observation. Through this approach, she continues to influence how documentary photography can reflect and honour the beauty of ordinary life.
Solo Exhibition, Santa Cruz Beach with Torres Vedras City Council, Portugal (2020)
Elles Mitraillent Exhibition, 59 Rivoli Art Gallery, Paris, France (2022)
Shortlisted, Family (Un)Xpected Exhibition, Les Rencontres d’Arles, France (2022)
Exhibitor, Expo Metro, Barcelona, Spain (2023)
Exhibitor, World Art Dubai with Circle Foundation for the Arts, UAE (2024)
