For Season 2 opener of Sombra Y Cultura, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rafael Medina—better known as @rafeakspvd—a Dominican-American street photographer based in Providence, Rhode Island.

Rafael’s work hits different. It’s not just about the streets—it’s about what lives between them. The overlooked corners. The real, raw moments that tell the story of a city and the people who live in it. His lens doesn’t just capture photos—it listens.

In our conversation, Rafael opened up about how he first got into photography, the artists who inspired him, and how his style evolved into what it is today: intentional, emotional, and deeply connected to place. One of the highlights of our talk was diving into his photo book Dear PVD, a self-published love letter to his hometown of Providence. It's more than a collection of images—it’s a quiet reminder that beauty exists in the everyday, if you’re willing to look for it.

We also talked about what it means to photograph your own community, the challenge of staying creative, and how to balance art with the realities of making a living. His insight on navigating street photography—where timing, trust, and instinct all collide—was honest and powerful.

Rafael reminded me that storytelling through photography isn’t always about the loudest image. Sometimes it’s about the quiet ones—the ones that stick with you.

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out our full conversation on the latest episode of Sombra Y Cultura down below. You’ll hear stories behind some of Rafael’s favorite shots, the impact Providence has had on his life and lens, and what he hopes his work will leave behind.

👉 Follow Rafael on Instagram: @rafeakspvd

This one set the tone for what Season 2 is all about—honest conversations with artists who are living their truth and shaping culture, one frame at a time.

Stay tuned for more.
— Chris‍

Creator of Sombra Y Cultura

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