MY Lens Lessons

From humble beginnings in Panama to the frontlines of history, Essdras M Suarez’s journey is one shaped by curiosity, conviction, and the quiet pull of destiny. A chance meeting with a National Geographic director led to a spontaneous decision to pursue photography—setting in motion a life defined by adaptability, perseverance, and a sharp eye for both danger and wonder.

My Lens Lessons is more than a memoir—it’s a meditation on the unpredictable nature of life, the stories behind the images, and the hard-earned wisdom revealed through the lens. From struggling to survive as a college student to capturing the world’s most defining moments, Suarez reflects not just on tragedy, but on the beauty found in resilience: the laughter of a child gliding through Amazon waters beside his father; the quiet strength of tsunami survivors who rebuild from nothing; and the mysterious interventions—felt but never fully explained—that seemed to pull him out of harm’s way just in time.

Woven throughout is a belief in good fortune, a respect for moral grounding, and a reverence for the synchronicities that appear when one remains open, observant, and guided by purpose.

This is not just the story of a career—it’s a way of living. A way of approaching life with a steady eye on purpose, goodness, mission, and a deep respect for our shared humanity.