Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles-McClintock Wilson.
Hi Charles-McClintock , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born on October 12, 1995, in Derrumbadero, a small rural village in the Dominican Republic. My mother died when I was just three years old, and the rest of my childhood was marked by instability, poverty, and trauma. I was passed between relatives and strangers, often exploited and mistreated — including spending time living on the streets. For years, I felt invisible, like I didn’t belong anywhere.
Photography found me slowly. Around age 15, I met two Dominican filmmakers, Gabriel Valencia and Iván Herrera, who gave me a glimpse of a different world. They were the first people who really believed in me and helped me start dreaming beyond survival.
In 2016, I was offered a chance to come to the U.S., but that turned into another difficult chapter. I was isolated and controlled, living in a shed for nearly a year. After escaping, I lived in shelters across Florida into my mid-20s. Even then, I carried a camera — or a borrowed phone — capturing moments around me.
Eventually, I made my way to Utah, where my life began to change. I met my wonderful wife, Danielle, and though we later lost our son to stillbirth, that grief deepened my commitment to storytelling. Photography became my way to process life, to advocate, and to honor what others overlook.
Today, I work as a freelance photographer, with images published in outlets like Woman’s World magazine, Daily Mail, Fox News, The Miami Herald, The Mirror US, New York Daily News, The Metro UK, The Daily Express and many more. My work is distributed by agencies like Getty Images/iStock, Alamy, Shutterstock, Dreamstime, and The Mega Agency. I’ve covered protests, parades, and personal moments — always with the goal of humanizing the people I photograph.
My past doesn’t define me, but it fuels me. Every time I press the shutter, I think about the boy I once was — and how far he’s come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road — not even close. My life has been shaped by loss, instability, and survival. Losing my mother at age three set the tone for a childhood full of trauma. I was passed between households — some abusive, some neglectful — and spent time homeless as a child. That kind of instability leaves deep scars, and for a long time, I felt like I had no future, like I didn’t matter.
Coming to the U.S. in 2017 was supposed to be a new beginning, but it became another dark chapter. I was brought here under false promises, then isolated and controlled, living in a shed for nearly a year. I eventually escaped and spent years bouncing between shelters in Florida. I didn’t have a support system, documents, or even consistent access to food. I carried a lot of trauma, and healing hasn’t been a straight line.
Even as I pursued photography, I faced constant doubt — not just from others, but internally. I didn’t have formal training, fancy equipment, or connections in the industry. I had to teach myself everything — while trying to survive.
Grief also played a huge role. My wife and I lost our son to stillbirth, and that loss nearly broke me. But it also gave my work more depth and purpose. Every obstacle has forced me to grow, reflect, and fight harder to turn pain into meaning.
Today, I still face challenges — immigration, financial instability, and the lingering effects of past trauma — but I’ve learned how to keep going. My struggles are part of the story, but they’re not the ending.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a freelance editorial photographer who focuses on capturing real, unfiltered moments — from protests and parades to quiet, emotional scenes that often go unnoticed. My work is rooted in storytelling and human connection. I specialize in street photography, documentary-style photojournalism, and candid portraits. What drives me most is the power of visual truth — the kind of image that makes someone pause, feel, and reflect.
My photos have been published in outlets like Woman’s World Magazine, Daily Mail, The New York Daily News, The Miami Herald, Fox News, The Mirror US, and others. They’ve been distributed through Getty Images/iStock, The Mega Agency, Shutterstock, Alamy, and Dreamstime.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a single photo — it’s the fact that I’m here at all, doing this work. I come from a background where most people don’t get a second chance, let alone a platform. I’ve gone from taking photos with borrowed phones while living in shelters to covering high-profile protests, cultural events, and everyday life with purpose and integrity.
What sets me apart is the way I see people. Because I’ve lived through pain and invisibility, I recognize it in others. I photograph from a place of empathy and lived experience. I don’t chase perfection or aesthetics — I chase honesty. Whether it’s a police officer at a parade or a stranger sitting on a curb, I want people to feel seen through my lens.
I believe storytelling can heal, connect, and even change lives — and that’s what I try to do with every frame.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always open to connecting with others who share a passion for visual storytelling, human rights, culture, or community work. Whether you’re a journalist, nonprofit, artist, editor, fellow photographer, or someone with a meaningful story to tell — I’d love to hear from you.
People can work with me by reaching out for editorial assignments, freelance projects, or creative collaborations. as mentioned earlier I also license my photography through major agencies like Getty Images, iStock, The Mega Agency, Dreamstime, Alamy, and Shutterstock — so if you’ve seen an image of mine you’d like to use, chances are it’s available there.
You can support my work simply by sharing it, crediting it when used, or following along on my website and social platforms. But more than anything, support comes from trusting me to tell stories with care and honesty — that’s the greatest collaboration of all.
If you’re interested in working together, just reach out. I’m based in Utah but available for assignments nationwide.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://charlesmcclintockwilson.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlesmcclintockwilson
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-mcclintock-wilson-726671194/
- Twitter: https://x.com/icharleswilson
