Wil Sands, born in Nairobi, Kenya, to American parents, experienced a diverse upbringing that shaped his understanding of the world around him and would later define his storytelling. His formative years took him from the vibrant city of David, Panama, to rural landscapes in eastern Pennsylvania, eventually leading him to the sprawling suburbs of Chicago.

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Wil pursued his higher education at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, during which time he became actively engaged in student organizing efforts, particularly around prison abolition. This pivotal experience laid the foundation for his enduring dedication to social justice.

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After college, Wil made the life-changing move to Barcelona, Spain, where he immersed himself in political subcultures, finding resonance in the city's vibrant squat community. This experience fostered a deep commitment to community, radical solidarity, and mutual aid. It was during this period that he crossed paths with his close friend Oscar B. Castillo. Simultaneously, Wil discovered photography and delved into the rich history of documentary work that compelled society to confront some of its most unsettling truths. This love for the art form and the potential of journalism as a catalyst for change ignited a passion that would shape his future endeavors.

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As a journalist, Wil is steadfastly guided by the belief that journalism's pivotal role is to "hold truth(s) to power." As a photographer, he fervently seeks out visual stories that add nuance and complexity to public discourse, consistently challenging reductionist narratives that perpetuate the status quo.

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In 2011, Wil, alongside Guillaume Darribau, co-founded the Fractures Collective, an innovative platform focused on documenting the growing fractures at the intersections of economic, social, political, and environmental systems. This cooperative, characterized by a horizontal organizing structure, served a critical purpose of promoting each other's documentary photography in the competitive market of journalism.

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Recipient of multiple Pulitzer Center reporting grants, Wil has dedicated his career to long-format investigative reporting and documentary work. His work has found its way into prestigious publications such as The Washington Post, Harper's, Wired Magazine, Mother Jones, CNN, Newsweek, The Times of London, Liberation, L'Obs, and many others.

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In a remarkable and challenging turn of events in 2020, while covering the Black Lives Matter protests outside the White House, Wil was shot in the face with a less-lethal crowd dispersal munition. The injury resulted in permanent damage to the vision in his right eye, which he affectionately calls his "photographic eye." In the face of this trauma, Wil chose to expand his journalistic repertoire, leading him to explore writing more actively.

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Wil Sands is the proud father of two beautiful, polyglot children and the devoted partner of a powerful woman who shares his commitment to social justice. His life's work is a testament to his unwavering dedication to transformative storytelling and his relentless pursuit of a more informed, empathetic, and just world.

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Wil splits his time between Mexico City, Mexico, and the family farm in rural western Virginia. 

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