Rhynna M. Santos is a photographer born in Puerto Rico and currently residing in the Bronx. Ms. Santos’ work depicts the everyday life and perspective of people of color.  

In 2018 Santos was recognized as an En Foco Fellow which included an exhibition of her work at Andrew Freedman Home and feature in Nueva Luz Photographic Journal. She was commissioned to photograph several photo stories for the New York Times in January 2018. Her work has also been featured in Curate NYC 2013, Jerome Avenue Workers Project 2015, Living Latina 2016 and Bronx Now 2018. In collaboration with En Foco, Ms. Santos’ photographs were featured in the article “Living Latina: The Bronx Women’s Photo Collective,” Nueva Luz Photographic Journal 2016, Volume 20, Number 1. In 2017, her work was featured in the book Mfon: Women Photographers of the African Diaspora.

Santos is the founder of the Bronx Women’s Photo Collective, member of the Bronx Photo League at the Bronx Documentary Center and curator for the Instagram feed Everyday Bronx. In addition, Santos serves as co-executive Chair of the Bronx Culture Collective.

Ms. Santos earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies from UCLA and has lived and worked in Spain, where she entered and placed in her first photography competition, PhotoEspaña.

Sandra was born and raised in the South Bronx where every day was an adventure. Using photography as a decompression tool she found a home in bold and colorful interpretations of her child-like imagination; All the while creating stories that captivate the viewer. Having picked up her first Dslr in 2008 and not having a clue, the word self-taught took new meaning and there began her journey to learn as much as possible.  As a self-taught artist Sandra's goal is to inspire others to seek art in any medium, as well as, show that it can be done. In summary, Ayala is just a Puerto Rican girl with an amazing husband and kids who is able to create stories that bring wonder to all.