VISUAL ARTIST

I’m a portrait photographer seeking to capture people's identities, expressions, and auras. I use photography solely as an artistic expression, focusing on elements like light, lines, space, and mood to intimately capture my subjects and self-portraits.

Artist Statement

Cynthia "Karin" Cortes was born and raised in New York City. Her mother emigrated there from Ecuador, and it was in the bustling Big Apple where she met Cynthia's father, who had also emigrated to NYC from Puerto Rico.

At an early age, Cortes revealed an affinity for the arts, as she was attracted to various disciplines, from dance to painting. She studied dance in Peridance and Alvin Ailey (both in NYC) for several years, but it was photography that completely won her over. This newfound passion inspired her to study the more refined elements of the craft at {I.C.P.} the International Center of Photography.

"FOR ALMOST A DECADE, CORTES WAS THE DEPUTY CHIEF (AND CO-FOUNDER) OF KARIN + RAOUL, ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE ART AND LIFESTYLE MAGAZINES IN THE INDUSTRY. THE PUBLICATION SUPPORTED THE INTIMATE, SEXY WORKS OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO DARED TO EXPOSE THEIR SENSUAL CREATIVITY. "DOING COMMON THINGS IN AN UNCOMMON WAY!"

Ms. Cortes has always been devoted to philanthropic endeavors. She continues to donate her artwork to several charities all over the world, and champions causes to empower young women and children. A couple of her favorite causes are The Somaly Mam Foundation Global fundraiser, Brave is Beautiful, and she is a proud ambassador for Beauty for Freedom!

CLIENTS

• MovieBuffspro

• DOWNTOWN MAG

• Kohana Coffee

• The ONE Group 

• ArtStrong

• GYJO Puzzle

• iLucida Design

• Timothy Oulton

• Terra Development Marketing

• ZINK MAG

• Scrappy Meals

• Scottspeed Inc

• Gotta Digit Inc.

• IMCustoms

• Elie Tahari

• BLACKSTONE Medical

• PRESTIGE MAG

• Saint Germain, French Connections 

• B&E Productions 

• Beauty For Freedom BFF