Thony Belizaire

Thony Bélizaire (March 30, 1955 - July 21, 2013, Pétion-Ville, Haiti) was a Haitian photographer and photojournalist whose work documented the political, social, and human realities of Haiti with urgency and clarity. Based in Haiti, Bélizaire worked primarily in photography, creating powerful images that captured moments of crisis, resilience, protest, mourning, and everyday life. His practice was characterized by documentary precision and a deep commitment to visual testimony, positioning photography as both witness and record.  Bélizaire worked for Agence France-Presse for more than twenty-five years after joining the agency in 1987, becoming one of Haiti’s most widely recognized photojournalists. His photographs circulated internationally and helped shape global understandings of Haiti during periods of political upheaval, natural disaster, and reconstruction. He became especially known for his coverage of the 2010 earthquake and its aftermath, producing images that conveyed both devastation and the endurance of Haitian communities.  His work stands as an important contribution to Haitian visual history and documentary photography, reflecting a sustained engagement with the realities of national life. Bélizaire is remembered as one of Haiti’s leading photojournalists, and his images remain central to the visual archive of contemporary Haiti.