Martínez’s work addresses fractured communities in his native Mexico. He often works symbolically to evoke a sense of emptiness, absence, and pain suffered by those affected by organized crime in the region.

He is the recipient of the Eugene Smith Award 2019, was fellow of the Photography and Social Justice Program of The Magnum Foundation. He won the 2nd Prize of the World Press Photo contests 2019 in the category of long-term projects. Martínez was grantee of the Magnum Foundation in the grants: Emergency Fund and On Religion in 2016- 2017.

His work has been featured in group shows in America, Europe, Africa and Asia. His work has been published by The Wall Street Journal, Blomberg News, New York Times Lens, Time, Vogue Italia, Vrij Nederland, and Aperture.

Martínez joined Magnum as a Nominee in 2020, and became an Associate in 2022.  

Web: www.yaelmartinez.com ; IG: @yaelmtzv

Masterclass: On Communities (Jan 13-14, 2024)