ACHONDROPLASIA AND BIOMARIN: A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY WITH REAL FAMILIES

Mauricio Candela
Aug 1, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Oct 20

A journey through family, strength, and everyday life

Some photography projects go far beyond the lens. This one — developed in collaboration with BioMarin Pharmaceutical — took Mauricio Candela and his team on an emotional and deeply human journey across continents, capturing the lives of families with children living with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism.

Shot in California, Colorado, Gijón, and Madrid, the goal was to create a series of honest visuals — both still and video — that reflected the normalcy, challenges, and beauty of these families’ everyday lives.

Real families, real stories

“We were immersed in the way of life of these families,” said Candela. “What it’s like to live with a son or daughter who has achondroplasia, how normal their lives are, and the different points of view of each family affected by it.”

Rather than staging artificial scenarios, the team focused on documentary-style storytelling, letting real life unfold naturally. From shared meals in family kitchens to children playing in backyards or studying at home, the images aimed to celebrate inclusion, dignity, and joy.

A non-intrusive approach to documentary storytelling

To maintain authenticity and comfort, Candela and his small crew adopted a minimalist and unobtrusive approach during the production. This was essential, especially when entering people’s homes and capturing private family moments.

“The idea was to make them feel at home — not like we were invading their space, but rather, just present enough to document their reality,” explains Candela.

Using natural light, soft gear setups, and maintaining constant communication, the team prioritized empathy and respect at every step.

Capturing achondroplasia on a global stage

The project also included coverage of a major achondroplasia conference held in Gijón, Spain, a pivotal moment where families, physicians, researchers, and advocates came together to connect and share.

Candela’s team documented the event with a mix of:

On-the-ground interviews
Portraits of participants
Candid moments during the conference
Short-form video content for both awareness and internal use

This material was later used by BioMarin to raise awareness, foster education, and support the community globally.

Why this campaign matters

This campaign serves as a powerful reminder that visual storytelling can go beyond aesthetics. It can build empathy, dispel myths, and connect audiences with the real people behind a diagnosis.

Candela’s approach was not just about composition and lighting. It was about connection. These families weren’t just “subjects” — they were collaborators in telling their own stories with dignity and authenticity.

Final thoughts

In a world often shaped by filters and perfection, this project chose to celebrate realness. The kids laughed. The parents cooked. Homework got done. Dishes got washed. Life — beautiful, chaotic, ordinary life — unfolded, and Candela captured it with grace.

“At the heart of this campaign was love — for storytelling, for truth, and most importantly, for the families who trusted us to tell their stories,” Candela reflects.