As part of our column “Women by Women: A Shared Vision,” which expands on the theme of our Global Open Call, we spoke with Karla Guerrero, founder of femgrafía. This online platform highlights photographers by allowing them to submit portfolios to be included in the digital archive INDEX: portfolio-archive. femgrafía also curates online exhibitions in partnership with women curators and organizations, and offers portfolio reviews. In this interview, Karla talks about the value of listening to and mentoring artists, as well as building connections among women in various creative roles. It’s a space where curators, writers, and artists can experiment, find inspiration, and grow both their work and perspectives.
How did your project come to life?
While studying Visual Communication with a focus on photography, I noticed that women were underrepresented in academic and professional settings, even though classrooms had equal numbers. In 2018, as I started sharing my own work, I was inspired by platforms and contests that emphasized the female perspective, which encouraged me to seek out more opportunities. At the time, I was writing articles and interviewing artists for various magazines and platforms, while also working as an assistant at a local photography gallery. That experience made me wonder: What opportunities exist for women in this industry? This question led me to explore different roles—not just as photographers, but also as curators, editors, and educators.
Eventually, my personal path inspired me to create a space where women could share, grow, and build community in the industry—not just for visibility, but for recognition. I wanted a place to bring together portfolios from diverse backgrounds, celebrate them, draw inspiration, and make room for authentic stories. A space for photographers, as well as curators, editors, and other professionals in the field. With that vision, I founded femgrafía, a platform for women photographers in Latin America and Spain. What started as an online community on Instagram soon grew to include online exhibitions, blog publications, and collaborations. Along the way, I pursued a Master’s in Social Development in Artistic Culture, along with seminars in photography production, cultural management, and curatorial practice—all of which I’ve used to strengthen femgrafía.
Today, I see femgrafía as an extension of my own journey, guided by the belief that the more we learn and share, the stronger and more inclusive our communities become.
How does femgrafía work, and how is it structured?
From the start, femgrafía was designed as an online platform with a fresh approach to the digital world. Over six years, it has evolved through various projects and content. The platform mainly works through a submission form or by invitation after portfolio reviews, which is how INDEX: portfolio-archive—one of its key sections—operates. Unlike traditional portfolio features that appear just once, INDEX lets audiences revisit artists and their work across different posts and contexts, creating a living, ongoing archive.
The second main part of the platform is curating online exhibitions—both group and solo shows—often in collaboration with emerging women curators and platforms. These exhibitions offer photographers new ways to present their work, supported by curatorial writing, editing, and promotion.
femgrafía also partners with festivals, grants, open calls, and brands as a media ally, developing initiatives that benefit our community while building shared goals and connections.
What would you like to see moreIn your region, what opportunities exist for women working in the creative field?
I would like to see greater inclusivity in educational programs, with expanded artistic references and experimentation across different media as tools for shared learning. This was part of my goal with INDEX and its recent photobook format, which I’ll discuss later. The aim is to provide women with new references, themes, stories, and materials that build confidence and access to resources in their practice. I recognized this need through initiatives focused on diverse education, such as the online platform “Rosa Chillante: feminist experimental laboratory,” led by the incredible photographers Carol Espíndola and Greta Rico (both INDEX members). Their work in creating specialized programs for women is a powerful example of expanding feminist creation.
As I developed my curatorial practice, I also realized how few opportunities there are for women curators. Yet these challenges highlight the importance of finding spaces to showcase exhibitions and collections by women photographers—spaces that can bring fresh and necessary perspectives to the local scene.
How do you select the photographers you feature?
It all starts with the submission form. At femgrafía, we welcome all themes, techniques, and formats with a photographic basis, and we’re open to all levels—amateur, emerging, or professional. Including work from different generations fosters open dialogue and a stronger sense of community. We’ve worked with both young and mature photographers, and the exchange shows that everyone can learn from each other. I believe this is how we create more thoughtful content.
As the founder of femgrafía, and also as a mentor and advisor to artists, I think working with a photographer means recognizing their commitment—the effort and dedication they put into their practice. This is key to offering support, since it’s not just about talent or personal statements, but also the vision and purpose behind their work. For this reason, with every portfolio submission, I look beyond the images, taking time to read bios, visit websites, and understand the artist’s broader context.
Finally, the selection process aligns with the curatorial principles that have guided the platform from the start: strong, well-executed images; real stories; experimental formats; and unique perspectives that expand the field of photography.
What are your hopes for femgrafía, and how would you like to see it grow?
In 2023, femgrafía evolved into an online gallery, presenting over 20 solo exhibitions and more than 30 group shows. My vision is to continue discovering women photographers and offering them spaces that not only showcase their work but also support them in exploring new ways of presenting it.
In 2022–2023, we also launched an online artist residency and workshops, which I hope to resume soon, this time with a stronger focus on the gallery format.
Collaboration remains central to femgrafía, and I aim to expand our reach by building connections with more festivals, organizations, and emerging projects, creating broader opportunities for women’s voices in photography.
What upcoming project are you currently working on?
After years of curating online exhibitions, in early March we held our first in-person group exhibition, “INDEX: Liberando el archivo,” featuring the work of 60 women photographers. The exhibition took place at the Centro Nacional de las Artes (CENART), one of Mexico’s most important art institutions. At the same time, we launched a photobook of the show as a collective publication, co-edited with the independent feminist publisher Miau Ediciones, directed by Andre.This publication is especially meaningful because it brought together the work of so many incredible photographers and allowed us to experiment with alternative printing techniques like risography.
Currently, I’m promoting the photobook and donating copies to libraries and cultural centers to make it accessible to the public. Curating both the exhibition and the publication has been an enriching experience, and I hope to create a second collective edition. While femgrafía operates online, I see in-person and physical projects not as limitations, but as complementary and far-reaching extensions of the platform’s work.
Since everything we do at PhotoVogue is rooted in empowerment and collaboration with organizations that share our values, is there a women-focused initiative or group you’d like to spotlight?
With pleasure:
– Foto Féminas by Verónica Sanchis
– Fotógrafas del Norte by Velia Rocío de la Cruz
– Miau Ediciones by Andrea García
– Fotofuturo Lab by Lucía Vázquez
– Rosa Chillante by Carol Espíndola and Greta Rico
– Solipsis Art with Yinna Higuera, Karla Martínez, Ximena Troya, Jessica Sarabia
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Women by Women A Shared Vision Femography in a clear and natural tone
General Definition Questions
Q What is Femography
A Femography is a project and community created by women for women Its a shared space to document and celebrate our diverse experiences stories and visions for the future
Q What does the name Femography mean
A Its a blend of female and graphy So it essentially means writing by and about women
Q Is this only for certain types of women
A Absolutely not Femography is for all women regardless of age background profession or life stage Our strength is in our diversity
Participation Content Questions
Q How can I get involved
A You can participate by sharing your own story joining discussions attending events or simply by listening and engaging with the content shared by others
Q What kind of stories or content can I share
A You can share anything that feels authentic to your experience as a woman This could be a personal essay a poem a piece of art a photo story a career challenge or a moment of joy
Q Do I have to be a professional writer or artist to contribute
A Not at all Femography values authentic voice over professional polish Your experience and perspective are what matter most
Benefits Purpose Questions
Q Whats the main goal of Femography
A The main goal is to build a supportive community where women feel seen heard and empowered by each others stories helping to create a more collective and powerful vision for the future
Q How will reading other womens stories help me
A It can reduce feelings of isolation provide new perspectives on your own challenges offer inspiration and help you feel connected to a larger community of women
Q Whats in it for the women who share their stories
A Sharing can be a powerful act of catharsis and validation It allows you to own your narrative connect with others who relate and potentially inspire someone else
Common Concerns Problems