My name is Abdiel Cruz (Prez). I’m an Afro-Caribbean photographer born to Dominican and Puerto Rican roots. I grew up surrounded by photos—my mom always had a disposable camera on hand, and we had stacks of photo albums full of family history. That’s where my love for photography started.

I couldn’t afford a real camera growing up, but I always paid attention to images. In the military, I started using my phone to take pictures—it helped me clear my head and feel grounded. I went to my first photo meetup in DC with just an iPhone, and that’s when I really fell in love with photography. I stepped away from it after a big loss in 2021, but when I returned to Puerto Rico in 2025 after 15 years, something clicked again. I picked up the camera with new purpose.

Now I focus on street photography rooted in truth and culture—capturing people, everyday life, and the energy that often goes unseen. I'm not here to glamorize tourist spots or curate for social media. I’m documenting real lives, whether it’s in Loíza or the Bronx, Little Haiti or D.C. The Caribbean isn’t just back home—it’s in the way we live everywhere.

To me, the Caribbean means peace, family, and freedom. I try to carry that feeling into every photo I take—whether I’m on the island or in a neighborhood shaped by Caribbean migration. My goal is simple: show our beauty, our truth, and make sure the people I photograph feel seen & heard not just captured

 .