SYMBIOSIS

Ruben Tomas is a photographer who works on a level above instinct. His subjects are not people, natural landscapes, or animals. Rather, his subject is the elusive connection between himself and what is going on around him. Inner lives seem to appear along the surfaces of bodies: eyes in partial shadow, wet hair giving temporary dimension to a face as it is drying, a mask that shows more than it hides. Ruben’s signature style is unmistakable. 

Born in Valencia, Spain, Ruben’s artistic journey has spanned five countries and four languages. His professional career has taken a similar adventure through acting and modeling. Thus, it is no wonder that Ruben’s way of making photographs captures movement in stillness and mystery in bareness. These qualities reflect his own creative process: he sees certain images before he captures them. 

Ruben’s work is internationally recognized and has been featured in exhibitions in Los Angeles, Brussels, and Antwerp. His fashion photography has appeared in L’Officiel Hommes, Elle, Refinery29, Behind the Blinds, The Ones 2 Watch, Schon Magazine, Fucking Young, Tendencias Magazine, and the Word Magazine, among others.

—Biography written by Cindy Tran

SYMBIOSIS reflects on the subtle, often-overlooked relationships among humans, animals, and the environments they inhabit. Through poetic portraiture and immersive landscapes, the series reveals moments where boundaries dissolve, and life forms exist in quiet interdependence. With a contemplative gaze and profound reverence for the natural world, Ruben invites us to witness a shared presence—fragile, intimate, and deeply intertwined.

This series celebrates how beings within nature are part of a larger, interconnected whole. Ruben’s work gently highlights these hidden symbiotic relationships, revealing the delicate balance that sustains life. He is particularly fascinated by ephemeral moments of harmony, capturing instances of coexistence and quiet intimacy.

Through images marked by sensitivity and subtlety, the viewer is gently prompted to reconsider our relationship with the natural world and its delicate ecosystems. Ruben’s thoughtful compositions guide us toward a deeper appreciation of the interconnectedness that binds us to the Earth and to each other.

Although deeply personal, Ruben’s photography carries a universal message. His exploration of symbiosis reminds us of the beauty inherent in shared existence and the profound interconnectedness defining all life.