Gregory Escande began his journey in photography in the 1990s with a manual analog camera, relishing the process of developing his own black-and-white films. 

In 2005, he discovered Mozambique and later decided to settle in the vibrant capital, Maputo. From 2016 to 2021, he focused on capturing the essence of the city, starting with images of boats, fishermen, and people—men, women, and children—collecting shells during low tide. Alongside his proficiency in Portuguese, Gregory learned to communicate in Shangana, the local language, to fully immerse himself in the culture and gain acceptance among the people he wished to photograph.

Over time, Gregory found a poignant representation of the everyday struggle, humility, strength, resilience, and beauty in mothers carrying their babies on their backs while balancing a load on their heads. This inspired him to create the series “Vanaamai” (Mothers). Additionally, young men carrying nail polish or cotton candy became another of his favorite subjects, leading to the collection “Varume” (Men). The series “Vana” (Children) captures the juxtaposition of youthful energy, vital force, and hope against the stark realities of a constrained horizon.

During these years, Gregory had the opportunity to take on various assignments, including projects for the American School Community Service (a project called Ngungunyane), Save the Children, Opportunity International, SightSavers, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).