Phil Borges

Phil Borges (born 1942) is a social documentary photographer and filmmaker.

For over twenty five years Phil Borges has documented indigenous and tribal cultures around the world. Through his exhibits, books and multimedia projects, he strives to create a heightened understanding of issues faced by people in the developing world. He found inspiration from Ron Zak who encouraged central themes through 'bodies of work'. This led to Phil Borges' signature style of black and white portraits with the subjects skin selectively toned. His largest influences were Irving Pennand Edward Curtis.

His book Tibetan Portrait: The Power of Compassion, introduces individuals from a deeply spiritual culture who strive to maintain their practice of compassion in the face of adversity. In 1998 he joined Amnesty International to present Enduring Spirit, an exhibit and book celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. His exhibit and book The Gift highlights the work of medical teams that provide facial reconstructive surgery to children in the developing world.

In 2004 Phil began an ongoing project to highlight the oppression and discrimination women and girls still face in the developing world. Phil worked with the organization CARE to release the book and exhibition titled Women Empowered in 2006. Phil's most recent exhibition addressing gender issues is titled Stirring The Fire: a global movement to empower women and girls. The exhibition and companion website is designed to bridge the gap between awareness and action. Central to the project is the Call to Action with its searchable database of organizations and resources intended to provide specific opportunities for those wanting to help women and girls achieve social and economic justice worldwide.

Phil has hosted three television documentaries for Discovery and National Geographic as a part of a series that investigates indigenous cultures that still maintain a spiritual dialogue with the natural world.

In 2000 Phil founded Bridges to Understanding, an on-line classroom program that connects youth worldwide through digital storytelling in order to enhance cross-cultural understanding and help build a sense of global citizenship in youth.

Phil’s photographs are collected and exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide. In 2007 he was named by AmericanPhoto magazine as one of “10 photographers that inspire us.” and in 2003 he was honored with the Lucie Humanitarian Award.

Phil Borges is a Fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers.