PANAJI: Goan-born international fashion photographer Russel Shawn Diniz, originally from Dramapur, South Goa, has received the Incredible Goa Awards 2026 for Excellence in International Fashion Photography. The award was presented by Yatish Dempo, Director of the Dempo Group, and Tanmay Kholkar, Managing Director of Manas Developers.
Diniz has made history as the first Goan-born photographer to photograph Miss England titleholders and contestants. Through his brand, Russel Photography, he has built an international portfolio spanning fashion editorials, runway photography and pageantry over the past five years.
Born in Dramapur, Diniz completed his Class 10 at Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim, and Class 12 in Science at Cuncolim United Higher Secondary School. His interest in photography led him to pursue a digital photography course at Stenodac Institute of Professional Photography in Panaji. He moved to the United Kingdom in March 2019 to pursue a BSc (Hons) in Adult Nursing at Keele University, graduating while continuing to develop his photography career.
His work has taken him across London, Paris and New York, with collaborations involving personalities associated with Miss England, Miss World and Miss Universe. One of the highlights of his career has been photographing Miss World England 2025 Grace Richardson, who will represent England at Miss World 2026. His portfolio also includes television personalities Nathalia Campos of Love Island and Georgia Wood of Celebs Go Dating, British-American actress and model Afton McKeith, and pageant personalities Melisa Raouf, Emily Cossey and Emma Rose Collingridge.
Another milestone was having his work featured on the cover of the Miss England Calendar 2025, featuring Miss England 2024 Milla Magee. The calendar supported her GoFarWithCPR initiative, which campaigns for compulsory CPR and basic first-aid training in school curricula. Diniz's photographs have also appeared in international fashion publications and Miss England press releases. He has worked with models associated with Miss Swimsuit USA and Gold Coast Swim Week, with some of his work reaching platforms such as Times Square in New York.
