Photography is much more than just a point-and-shoot session with your iPhone.
Vinicius Marmo Azevedo, an acclaimed visual artist, professional photographer, and director of photography based in Orlando, Florida, knows how to create a scroll-stopping, like-worthy photograph.
With over a decade of experience spanning corporate, editorial, motorsport, and entertainment sectors, Azevedo’s work is recognized for its impactful blend of technical precision and compelling visual storytelling. As a seasoned professional, he recently offered a concise overview of the photographic equipment that underpins his diverse projects and shared his perspective on the evolving landscape of photo technology.
Delving into his preferred gear, Azevedo revealed a significant pivot in his camera system. “Over the years, I worked extensively with Nikon—my first professional camera system,” he says. However, in mid-2024, he transitioned to the Sony A7IV. This move was driven by a desire for “more accurate colors, vibrant dynamic range, and flexibility with lenses from a broader range of manufacturers.” He says that the Sony A7IV is a camera that “exceeded my expectations in both performance and color science, particularly when working with demanding clients or fast-paced environments.”
For event coverage, Azevedo relies on a versatile yet precise lens kit. His essential setup includes a 10mm f/2.8 for dramatic wide angles, a 24–70mm f/2.8 as his versatile go-to for dynamic compositions, and the “indispensable” 70–200mm f/2.8 for capturing sharp, candid portraits or distant subjects with beautiful compression. This combination provides comprehensive coverage and creative adaptability across various lighting conditions.
When shooting sports, which demands responsiveness and technical control, Azevedo builds upon this foundation. The 10mm captures wide ambient scenes and event context, while the 24–70mm f/2.8 excels for moments close to the action. The 70–200mm f/2.8 remains crucial for isolating athletes with speed and detail. For daytime sports or well-lit outdoor venues, he adds a 200–500mm f/5.6 to his kit, noting its ability to provide extended reach without compromising image quality. Each lens, he explains, serves a strategic role dependent on the specific sport, distance, and available light.
In a studio environment, Azevedo typically pairs his Sony A7IV with either the 24–70mm f/2.8 or the 70–200mm f/2.8, contingent on the creative brief. His lighting setup is built entirely around Godox equipment, a brand he has trusted since 2017. He utilizes models such as the AD600Pro, QT600IIIM, and SK400II, all controlled via the Godox X3 trigger.
To precisely sculpt light, he employs a wide variety of modifiers, including octa softboxes, strip lights, lantern softboxes, and rectangular boxes. His studio workflow is further supported by essential tools like C-stands, seamless paper backdrops, Apple boxes, and calibrated editing setups, ensuring consistency from capture to post-production.
For post-production, Azevedo emphasizes his reliance on Adobe software. “Lightroom is my primary tool for color grading and global adjustments,” he explains, while “Photoshop is essential for advanced retouching—particularly skin refinement, object removal, or compositing work.” This powerful combination, he states, provides the control and flexibility necessary for high-end editorial and commercial projects.
Looking ahead, Azevedo shared his insights on key technological shifts impacting photography in 2025. He highlighted the “widespread adoption of the global shutter in top-tier mirrorless systems like Sony’s flagship models.”
This innovation, he notes, “eliminates the rolling shutter effect, allowing for ultra-fast capture with perfect image integrity—even when shooting high-speed motion.” Additionally, he pointed to Canon’s new innovations in eye-tracking viewfinders, which are “pushing autofocus accuracy to new levels, where the camera locks focus exactly where the photographer’s eye is looking.”
Azevedo believes these advancements represent “a new era of intuitiveness and reliability for professionals who need to capture the decisive moment without compromise.”
Vinicius Marmo Azevedo is no amateur, his work has garnered international recognition, with exhibitions in New York City, the GPU Photography Exhibition in Egypt, the Brazilian International Photography Circuit, and the Tuscany Photo Awards in Italy.
He has also received multiple honors, including the FIAP Blue Ribbon and Best Picture from the International Academy of Cinema. A member of esteemed organizations such as Professional Photographers of America, American Photographic Artists, the Photographic Society of America, the Global Photographic Union, and the National Press Photographers Association, Azevedo continues to blend creative direction with technical excellence in every project he leads.
Follow Vinicius Marmo Azevedo on Instagram @viniciusmarmo.
