Joseph Tamargo

1953 - 2024

Joseph Tamargo

May 11, 1953 - October 22, 2024

Miami, Florida - Joseph Tamargo, born on May 11, 1953, in Miami, Florida, passed away on October 22, 2024, at the age of 71. A revered figure in the field of photography, Joseph's contributions as an educator, artist, and mentor left an indelible mark on the community and the art world.

Joseph pursued his passion for the arts by obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida International University, followed by a Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the University of Miami. His academic foundation paved the way for a distinguished career that began in 1986 when he started teaching and directed the photography program at Miami Dade College's Wolfson Campus.

Joseph's career was marked by significant achievements and contributions to the field of photography. In 1999, he was honored with a Fulbright grant to teach and research Chilean street photography in Santiago, Chile. His work in Valparaiso between 2001 and 2014, where he documented the city's thirteen hills, resulted in over 40,000 images, creating the most extensive film archive of the city to date. His commitment to education continued with his workshops for photography students at the Universidad del Pacifico in Santiago. In recognition of his efforts to promote Chilean photography, the Universidad del Pacifico awarded him the Mnemeiss Award in 2006.

Throughout his career, Joseph remained deeply involved in advancing fine art photography in South Florida. From 1990 to 1993, he served as president of Photogroup, a non-profit organization dedicated to this cause. His efforts to showcase the work of Cuban photographers and bring them to the United States for exhibitions and lectures significantly impacted cultural exchange and artistic expression.

Joseph's work is held in high regard and is part of prestigious collections such as the George Eastman House Museum of Photography and Film, Lehigh University Art Gallery's Latin American collection, Southeastern Museum of Photography, and the Museum of Art and Design, among others.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Joseph was a charismatic and creative individual who saw the world through a unique lens, both figuratively and literally. His hobbies included traveling, studying art history, and passionately teaching and inspiring new generations of photographers and artists.

Joseph is survived by his loving family: his wife Mayra Tamargo; sons Gabriel, David "Alligator Jesus," and Derek Tamargo; sister Yolanda Tamargo; and granddaughter Anais Tamargo, along with his beloved dog, Wolf. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace Mira and Rolando Tamargo.

The family invites friends and loved ones to join them in celebrating Joseph's life at Caballero Rivero Little Havana, 3344 S.W. 8 Street, Miami, FL 33135, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, 11/7. A funeral mass will be held at St. Brendan Catholic Church, 8725 SW 32nd St., Miami, FL 33165, at 10:30 a.m. on 11/8. For information regarding an upcoming memorial, please email: info@alligatorjesus.com.