Born in Mexico City, Cazalis grew up in five different countries across the Americas. He holds an MFA in digital technology from Parsons School of Design and began his photography career when he returned to Mexico after a twenty three year absence working for a local newspaper and freelancing for AFP. Shortly after he began doing long term documentary work. His first book, Occupy Sao Paulo (Kehrer, 2012) focused on the occupation of public land by both rich and poor in the Brazilian megalopolis. He would follow through documenting sustainability issues in another seven megacities across the globe. His second book Sangre de Reyes (Editorial RM, 2016) was a nine year drama following the matador Jose Tomas across Spain, France and Mexico as he dug deep into his own family bullfighting roots. He has received numerous international awards.

AWARDS AND GRANTS

• 2016 Collection of Fundacion Televisa.

• 2011 Grant: Fomento y Co-Inversion CONACUTLA (National Mexican Council for Culture and Arts), Mexico

• 2011 Stop TB Award

• 2011 BD Photo Competition, Pro Best Global Health Image

• 2010 Hon. Mention; Premio Nacional de Periodismo Cultural Fernando Benitez

• 2010 1st Prize Fotolibro Latino America, Editorial RM, Barcelona, Spain

• 2010 Prix Pictet Nomination: Growth

• 2009 POYi First Place, Special Section Magazine Edit with National Geographic

• 2009 Communication Arts Photography Annual

• 2009 World Press Photo Award, First Place Contemporary Issues, Stories

• 2006 + 2008 Nomination for All Roads Film project, National Geographic Society

• 2005 Hon. Mention 6th Mexican Photojournalism Biennial

• 1998 Hon. Mention; 3rd Mexican Photojournalism Biennial