Rodrigo was an excellent tour guide. He customized a tour for me based on my interests/skill level. He was able to arrange for a driver so we didn't have to worry about getting around/safety and with his experience living in this area he was able to take to places where I was able to take excellent photos.

Why take a tour with Rodrigo? If you just want to go to well known tourist places like Corcovadao, Sugarloaf Mountain or Copacabana, then there are other less expensive tours that will do or you can just take a virtual touristic tour on the Internet. However, If you want to experience the real Rio, interpret and capture your own unique impressions of the city then Rodrigo is your ideal guide. Rodrigo is a photographer and understands that photographers do not want just record shots or narcsissistic selfie shots but rather images that reflect a place and the photographer and tell part of a story or journey For me, I wanted to capture some of the everyday lifestyles in Rio, Some parts of Rio are potentially dangerous and so it is essential to have a photographer/guide like Rodrigo that knows Rio and where to go for photography and to keep clients safe. We went to the Selaron steps, a local market selling all sorts of things from food to clothing, several places where unique groups of musicians where playing for they own enjoyment and for the locals, and a park where a group of dancers and drummers were practicing for the Carnival - all off the beaten tourist track. Rodrigo is a versatile photographer and does everything fro landscapes, architecture, people and impressionistic images - so you just need to advise him what your photographic style and interests. As far as I can tell, Rodrigo does not do set-ups for others to copy but takes you to laces that offer opportunity for self expression and interpretation I have been in photography for more that 40 years and highly recommend Rodrigo

I had two days with Rodrigo and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of them. I had very specific things I wanted to see and photograph in Rio and Rodrigo tailored the tours so that I could see everything (and more!!) that I wanted to see. Right from the very first email with Rodrigo he was very friendly and very helpful and made lots of suggestions as to how I could fit everything in over the two days. I could not recommend Rodrigo more highly as his knowledge and passion about Rio as well as photography made the tours an experience of a life time that I will treasure for ever.

My husband and I loved our photography tour with Rodrigo. We had the most fabulous holiday in Rio but the day that we spent with Rodrigo and the driver Miguel was the best. From the very start Rodrigo was impressive. He asked what we wanted to see and customized the tour to suit us. We got to see some amazing places during our eight hour landscape tour. The sunset especially took our breath away. We have the most beautiful photos and memories that will last forever. I can highly recommend this tour to anyone with an interest in photography that wants to see the best of Rio. Thank you Rodrigo for an amazing experience.

Thank you Rodrigo and Miguel! Three full days in Rio; saw areas with Rodrigo during two full days (12:00-20:00) we would not have thought of visiting and seeing through the lens. Rodrigo focuses on what you the photographer wants to photograph; and he shares photo tips. Time is allowed that would not be possible on a regular guided visit. The restaurants both days were local and excellent (off the beaten path). The third day, Rodrigo gave us a restaurant tip and because Miguel spent two days with us already, was back as our driver for the third morning as we set out on our own. Both Rodrigo and Miguel speak English. Rodrigo's correspondence with us pre-voyage was full of details; he was up front and honest to what we could do together or on our own; our schedule was adapted to want we wanted. We were so busy with photography, we missed a couple of museums because they closed at 17:00. No problem we were there for the landscape and the atmosphere and we found it! Great way to orient your visit.

I booked a phototour with Rodrigo as I traveled alone - to carefully plan and see the most within 2 days and at the same time feel safe. Rodrigo took great pictures and as a local knows were to take great pictures. I believe the money amount requested was a bit too high, however the driver Miguel and his company and the great photos make up for it. Furthermore if you want to see the most and do not want to wait 2 hours in a regular tour till all the guests are picked from their hotel and want to take unforgettable pictures then this is the tour to take. I always felt safe with Rodrigo and highly recommend this tour!

Rodrigo planned a day to hit the highlights for 8 hours in Rio.the driver, Miguel was also terrific. Rodrigo communicated in advance of the trip, during, and after. We moved quickly from site to site, but he allowed us to take our time at the sites. although we only brushed the surface of Rio, it was a great peek into the beauty and its contrasts.

We spent 3 days in Rio, 2 with Rodrigo. The photos taken during the two days with Rodrigo are some of my best. He knows where to go at what time to get fabulous shots. And he is a terrific guy to spend the time with.

Rodrigo knows Rio like few people do, we have been in places out of the traditional tourist routes and it make me experienced get more deep into the city and more close with the locals. Also his photographer expertise helps a lot when you want to find some specific place to shot or some kind of image you seeking to photograph. Furthermore he is a great guy and very easy going, also his tours are planned based on the clients preferences and are very flexible to changes too. For sure he's my first indication if you're looking for a Photo Tour experience in Rio or even if you're not a photographer I'm sure you will have a great time with him exploring the city.

Rodrigo is an exceptional guide. Before we even arrived, he corresponded with us and built a tour based on our interests which included the obvious spots like Sugarloaf and Christ The Redeemer but also included less visited spots like the Bibliotheca and Botanical Gardens, museums, and his favorite restaurant. Throughout the tour, he was flexible and completely attuned to what WE wanted to do which resulted in a visit to the Seralon` Steps which turned out to be a highlight. Equally important, Rodrigo made us feel safe in the city. The next time I visit Rio, he will be the first person I call. LindaB

I took a cruise which would be in Rio for 2 days. I contracted with Rodrigo to take us around so we could see as much as possible in the short time we had. I like to take pictures and, since he is a photographer, it sounded like a perfect match. My friend Linda and I had a great time. He took us to more things in Rio than most people saw. When I first contacted him he sent asked what we were interested in. The tour he set up matched my requests perfectly. The first day we had a driver so we could quickly get around the city. This was very convenient. The second day, we took a tram downtown and hiked back. Rodrigo was very informative. Took us places where I was able to get great pictures. I cannot recommend him enough. HIs price was comparative to the cruise line excursions but we got so much more for our money. Don't hesitate to try his tours.

amazing tours in secret places of the city ... Rodrigo is the man to contact in Rio de janeiro... strictly recommended !

I had a great time with Rodrigo in Rio. I booked the half day tour. He showed me some places I wouldn't have seen without him. It was very interesting what he had to tell about the city. Although it is not easy to take pictures in Rio because you have to hide your camera from thieves I could take some good shots. Inspite of all the problems with criminality and traffic Rio is a marvelous city, the light here is exceptional, the views from the hills spectacular. I only can recommend it

I usually only review hotels but my time with Rodrigo was so exceptional I'm taking the time to review this tour. I spent two days with Rodrigo. He has a relaxed style and he is an absolutely great guy. Here are some reasons why you should book Rodrigo. - He will get you around Rio with the highest regard for your safety and security. This alone is worth the price of admission. - His tours are completely tailor made and flexible. I arranged with Rodrigo to explore certain things and when I wanted to tweak the plan it was done on the fly without question. He is there to put you in front of what you want to photograph and he does this very effectively. - He will get you into places and situations that you would NEVER find on your own. - He has excellent English language skills. Not once was there a misunderstanding while communicating. - Outside of photographic pursuits Rodrigo introduced me to people, art and aspects of local culture that made for a diverse experience. Again, things one would never experience through independent exploration. - Rodrigo gladly helped me out with pre and post tour advice and recommendations which I consider to be outside of his mandate. In summary if you are planning a trip to Rio and looking for a photo-specific tour you need look no further. You have found your guy. Be honest and up front about your expectations and what you want to photograph and you'll get more than you bargained for. Independent travel in Rio can be very stressful for the uninitiated and Rodrigo provides a ton of relief.

Rodrigo is definitely in the nice guy camp and I felt completely safe in his hands as we explored some of the more edgy parts of Rio at sunset. We walked the back streets of the Centre, Lapa, Selaron steps and Urca, and I saw parts of town that other tour guides couldn't reach. However, his website advertises photography tours, and he is learning his way as a photographer. I'm a serious amateur who's widely travelled, including other photography tours, and I found that his lack of technical advice and critique left something to be desired. I imagine for those starting out in photography, his low level approach will be very reassuring, it's only that I wanted to be challenged more.