Menorca is no longer just about beaches and turquoise waters. This May, the island welcomes travelers to Alaior for the Raw Photo Fest, a four-day photography festival that combines world-class exhibitions with immersive experiences on the island. Christelle Enquist Gomila and Jorge Delgado-Ureña founded The Raw Society with the goal of creating a community for photographers and storytellers.
Photographer: John Agather
“Christelle and I founded The Raw Society after one of those rare crossroads moments that you might only experience once in a lifetime, when everything seems uncertain yet meaningful,” says Jorge. “I had just convinced a magazine, in partnership with the UN, to send me to Nepal to document the country a year after the 2015 earthquake. Christelle left her career in advertising to travel alone through Southeast Asia. Our paths crossed in Nepal, and during a month of traveling together, we fell in love—with the country and with each other. That experience made us want to share photography in a deeper, more human way.”
Over time, the idea evolved into a global community. Jorge adds, “People weren’t just looking for an exotic trip. They were looking for a connection. That’s how the community aspect of The Raw Society came about. Menorca became the perfect base after intense trips to Iraq or Nepal: a place to relax, reflect, and recharge.”
Travelers’ experiences with the Raw Photo Fest
“Can I Be All Four.” Dadream on the “Memories of Youth” project
Christelle says that the festival brings Raw Society’s online community into the real world. “Although many of our photographers meet while traveling, the festival is the perfect excuse for as many of us as possible to get together in person, experience photography together, and feel even more connected than we already are when we part ways. I hope the festival will spark collaborative projects among our members.”
The festival combines exhibitions by emerging photographers with those by world-renowned artists such as Steve McCurry, Nick Brandt, and John Stanmeyer. Christelle explains: “If there’s one common thread that ties it all together, it’s storytelling—but in a broad, human sense. We’re looking for discovery: serious people dedicated to the image alongside those who respond instinctively.”
Jorge adds: “The Raw Photo Fest strengthens the bond between photographers and the public. It showcases everything from stories of war and conflict to playful and intimate projects. The audience is sophisticated and curious; part of the experience is learning to interpret photography and engage deeply with it.”
Travel to Menorca’s hidden corners and discover secret trails
Raw Society
Christelle chose Alaior for a reason. “We chose Alaior very deliberately, perhaps with a touch of rebellion. Mahón and Ciutadella get all the attention, but Alaior is the quiet town that never got the memo on how to show off. It feels closer to the island’s true heartbeat. Limestone facades, narrow streets, daily life unfolding without pretense. In a matter of minutes, you find yourself in the heart of the countryside, with dry-stone walls and rolling terrain, and that soft Mediterranean light feels different far from the coast.”
For travelers looking for hidden gems, he recommends the Camí de Cavalls trail. “Don’t overplan it—that’s the key. One section runs along cliffs with the sea stretching endlessly beside you; another takes you inland, passing dry stone walls, and suddenly you find yourself in front of a hidden cave. The north and south coasts are completely different worlds, and the contrast is part of the magic.”
Other must-see spots include the Favaritx lighthouse and Es Grau, located within the biosphere reserve. “The real hidden gems aren’t always marked on the map. They’re found in the little Menorcan moments: sitting in a quiet café in Alaior in the late afternoon sipping local gin, or finding a secluded spot to swim on the south coast and watching the grandmothers floating in the sea. That’s the real Menorca,” says Christelle.
Perspectives on Travel Photography
For Jorge, travel and documentary photography is all about presence. “You have to be physically there. You have to be on the ground, facing the weather, uncertainty, and sometimes danger, but also the beauty of the real world. The goal is to facilitate understanding: to build a bridge between someone else’s reality and your own. In the age of artificial intelligence and social media, that physical presence matters more than ever.”
It also emphasizes audience participation. “We don’t simplify complex stories. The festival creates a space to meet the authors, ask questions, delve deeper, and devote real time to the work. Ideally, this leads to a shared reality between the storyteller and the audience.”
Travel to Menorca: Cafés and Local Experiences
Christelle offers some local recommendations. “Amapola in Es Castell for breakfast or lunch, Bar San Jorge for drinks and snacks, Mar de Teranga to enjoy the views by the beach, and Augustin in Mahón for dinner. Spring is the perfect time to travel: the island is green, the flowers are in full bloom, the light is soft, and there’s plenty of room to explore without the crowds.”
He adds that the summer festivals are unforgettable. “There’s one almost every weekend from June to September. Don’t miss them.”
Trips to enjoy beaches and hiking
Travelers who enjoy both photography and sightseeing should explore the Favaritx Lighthouse, Es Grau, the Pedreres de s’Hostal quarries, and the salt flats. “The light in the early morning or at sunset is perfect,” says Christelle. The Camí de Cavalls trail offers endless variety, from views off the cliffs to fields of wildflowers and moon-like landscapes.
Christelle explains that holding the festival in May extends Menorca’s tourist season slightly. “Spring is beautiful and peaceful. Participants get to discover Menorca at a wonderful time of year. It’s a different kind of connection with the island—and a much more memorable one.”
The festival is also designed to showcase Menorca’s history and culture. “We’ve involved local producers and crafted the program to reflect the island’s rhythm. Menorca is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Exhibitions like Nick Brandt’s SINK / RISE, about rising sea levels, or John Stanmeyer’s Soil Extinction project, reflect that deep awareness of the land, history, and environmental balance,” he says.
The Future for Travelers and the Raw Photo Fest
Christelle says that the Raw Photo Fest will be a biennial event. “In the years when it isn’t held, we’ll organize smaller events and photography activities in schools and senior centers as part of our commitment to the community. All of this benefits The Raw Society and its photography community.”
Jorge adds: “We started without a master plan; we listened to our community, adapted, and grew. New ideas emerge from opportunities, people, and collaborations that align with our values. Experiences like this open unexpected doors. That’s the beauty of combining travel and photography.”
For travelers, the Raw Photo Fest is a gateway to Menorca beyond its beaches—a festival where photography and island life come together, revealing hidden corners and moments that linger in your memory long after you’ve left.
