Gustavo Duran Born in 1987 in Espírito Santo, northern Brazil, is a fashion photographer, creative director and children’s casting producer. Specializing in children and youth photography, he has been working in Brazil and abroad for over 20 years. Based in São Paulo, his work today extends globally.
A lover of Brazil’s cultural diversity, Gustavo has steadily expanded his international influence while establishing a strong presence in his home country. He is known for creating conceptual and exclusive portfolios that highlight each child’s individuality, helping them build confidence, develop their image, and unlock future opportunities.
His work stands out for its focus on natural movement and authentic expression. Instead of overly posed images, Gustavo takes a more relaxed approach. This means teaching children to feel comfortable and confident, allowing their personalities to emerge in real and authentic ways.
In addition to photography, he creates talented runway shows and projects that allow children to experience fashion in a more direct and meaningful way, building their portfolio, confidence and presence. In this interview, we talked about children’s fashion photography, working with young talent, the Brazilian children’s fashion market and the importance of staying true to yourself both on and off the field.
Q: Gustavo, can you tell us about your journey into the world of children’s fashion? What initially brought you to work in this niche?
no way: My journey began at the age of 15 when I worked as a production assistant for a photographer. I got involved in campaigns, styling, and production from an early age. Over time, I realized that working with children was what I enjoyed the most. Photographing children and creating fashion content with them came naturally to me.
Q. Was there a turning point when you realized this was the path you wanted to take?
no way: Yes, when I started creating more original work with my kids, people in the industry started to notice. That recognition helped me grow in Brazil and later led to opportunities to work internationally, especially in Moscow and Italy.
Q: How have your experiences influenced the way you work today?
no way: I learned everything through practice. Over time, I stopped seeing photos as just images and started thinking of them as little stories. Today we’re focused on creating something realistic and helpful for kids to express themselves naturally.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working with children in fashion?
no way: I love creating different, more conceptual looks, but always in a way that feels natural to the child.
Q: Children have a very different energy from adults. How do you channel it to them?
no way: Because I mainly work with children of my own choosing, it naturally fits the style I want. So there is no need to be overly directive. I keep things simple and focus on expression and natural beauty.
Q: Your work often feels very natural and dynamic. How do you achieve this?
no way: I guide my child rather than controlling him. I provide direction but leave space for them to move and be themselves. This is where the real moments come from.
Q: Has being a father influenced the way you work with children?
no way: Not in a restrictive way, quite the opposite. Becoming a father actually makes things easier. This gave me more experience and a better understanding of how to communicate with children and young people. I keep listening to their world: their language, what they like, the trends they follow. I have two sons, Lucas, 15, and Benoah, 2. Sometimes I even travel to work with them, which makes the whole experience more meaningful.
Q. What challenges do you face when working with children?
no way: The biggest challenge is often parental expectations. Sometimes they see their children one way and I show them another. Managing this is always the most sensitive part.
Q: Can you tell us about the projects you are currently working on?
no way: São Paulo, Brazil, carries out two major projects each year. superstar It is even more glamorous with a red carpet and larger production. that fashion show There is more focus on fashion. It gives children the opportunity to see a real runway show and experience what happens behind the scenes.
Q: What makes your runway show special?
no way: I try to make it memorable for both the kids and the family. The show is professional, with powerful visuals and music, but it’s also about giving kids a real-life experience.
Q: What do kids get from this show?
no way: Confidence, presence, experience. It’s not just about walking, it’s about feeling a part of something and learning how to express yourself.
Q: How would you describe the current Brazilian children’s clothing market?
no way: Very diverse and energetic. Because of the climate, things are usually colorful and light. The market is growing and more people are investing in it.
Q: What makes Brazil different from other countries?
no way: Lifestyle and weather. Since we don’t have extreme winters, our cold season collections are still very vibrant too.
Q: What is Brazil’s biggest strength in this industry?
no way: manifold. We mix different looks and backgrounds to create something very unique.
Question: How do families in Brazil usually dress their children?
no way: Today, European influence is greater. Parents are looking for comfortable clothes, but they are also looking for stylish clothes. Still, colors and prints are always present.
Q: Do parents follow trends?
no way: Yes, there are more and more of them. They are paying attention to international brands and styles.
Q: How does lifestyle influence fashion?
no way: Because of the heat and beach culture, clothing should be light and comfortable. Children need to move freely, so that is always a priority.
Q. How do you discover new talent?
no way: This is mainly done through Instagram or recommendations. Parents are looking for a professional career and a solid portfolio.
Q: What do you consider important in a child model?
no way: Looks are important but not enough. A child needs character, confidence and a good attitude.
Q: How important is authenticity?
no way: Very important. When a child is natural and confident, the results are always better and more unique.
Q. What advice would you give to parents?
no way: Invest in good photography with a professional who understands children. And be patient. This takes time and consistency.
Q: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
no way: Becoming an ambassador for the Russian Fashion Show in Moscow since 2019 was a big moment for me. It was the first time my work was taken to that level outside of Brazil.
Q: What values guide your work today?
no way: Respect, humility, and maintaining good relationships with the families I work with.
Q. What are your future plans?
no way: I would like to continue to grow internationally and eventually create my own agency and production company.
Q. How do you see the future of kids fashion?
no way: I think experience will become more important. There will also be a greater focus on sustainability and conscious fashion.
Q: How would you describe your creative vision in three words?
no way: Authenticity, conceptuality, transformation
Q: What does success mean to you today?
no way: Doing what I love and feeling happy with the work I create every day.
Q: What do you like? junior style?
no way: Junior Style is the benchmark for creative content in the children’s fashion market. I really like your positioning, image and always well-executed fashion shows. Connecting and partnering with Junior Style is definitely a huge accomplishment for my career and professional experience around the world.
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