Víctor Rakosnik x OUTLIERS

MEET VíCTOR

I’m Víctor Rakosnik, a photographer based in Paris. I was born and raised in Barcelona but left pretty early to study Graphic Communication at Central Saint Martins in London.
At first, I was deep into graphics, but over time, I found myself drawn to photography. I started working in fashion, first as a producer and then as a photography assistant. After a few years in London, my partner and I decided to take a year-long trip across Asia. That journey wasn’t just an adventure; it became the turning point that took me from assisting to shooting on my own. It also helped me transition from London to Paris, where I live now.
Both my partner and I have a strange attraction towards unexplored places. Maybe it’s because we are both into image making, always looking for new landscapes, faces or objects to capture. Or perhaps it’s because after a year-long trip, we stopped enjoying tourism and understood what traveling means.
My dream is to focus my work on projects that have cultural impact, telling stories that matter, that help preserve traditions, and that give a voice to people and places that often go unnoticed. Photography, for me, is more than just creating images; it’s a way to connect, to understand, and to share perspectives that deserve to be seen.
@victor.rakosnik

TOGIAN ISLANDS, INDONESIA

Still pretty much untouched and extremely rich in culture, the Togian Archipelago in Central Sulawesi ended up being the best surprise on our trip. We started our journey in Rantepao, where we got to see the traditional funeral ceremonies of the Toraja people. From there, we started heading towards the islands, with a stop at Lake Poso, a huge lake with white sand beaches that looks more like an ocean than a lake.

After almost 24 hours of travel, we finally made it to the Togians. And from that point on, we were totally off the grid, no internet for almost two weeks. It was honestly the only time I’ve completely disconnected from the world and just lived in the moment.

The islands are home to beautiful reefs and the Bajau people, also known as Sea Gypsies. Originally from Borneo, these people live in houses built on the water and are expert spearfishers. Some even have bigger lungs that allow them to hold their breath for really long dives.

We were looking for something more authentic and local than the usual spots in Indonesia, and we were incredibly lucky to find it.

GUJARAT, INDIA

After nearly three months of exploring India, we decided to head to a less touristy area for a deeper cultural immersion. We went to Gujarat a heavily industrialized state that’s also home to incredible crafts. Although they were not easy to find, we eventually came across families who sold their crafts right from their homes in the region of Kutch.

It wasn’t just the crafts that I enjoyed, it was mostly the people. For me, India is one of the most photogenic countries I’ve ever visited, and what always strikes me is how open people are to being photographed. I focused mostly on portraiture during my time there, as I truly enjoy connecting with people. Even if we only met for a few minutes, I’ve stayed in touch with some of them.

We also visited Dwarka, an ancient city with huge religious significance. We were there during Janmashtami, a festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. It was a good way to wrap up our year-long trip, from there, we came back to Europe.

AMAZON RAINFOREST, PERÚ

I’ve been really lucky to be able to visit my aunty, who’s been a missionary in the Amazonic region of Loreto, Perú, for over 40 years. Seeing her dedication to the Shawi communities there had a big impact on me.

We traveled to isolated communities along the Paranapura River, experienced local life, and got to see all the projects the Association is involved in, from education and health to sustainability. We also saw the challenges they face, like corruption, illegal mining, and especially the lack of interest from younger generations in living a life of solidarity.

Beyond their religious beliefs, the way my aunty and her team work to improve the quality of life for these communities is truly moving. Their efforts inspired me to get involved in projects that have a cultural impact like theirs and pushed me to start developing a feature documentary film about their Association.

This is the type of trips I really value, as they offer a deeper connection and understanding of different cultures, far beyond what tourism can offer.