Havana, Cuba, 1932

Asela Torres is a Miami-based photographer. She graduated from Havana’s Colegio Nacional de Fototécnico (National College of Photo Technicians). Early in her career, she began documenting daily life, but her professional growth was interrupted by the political restrictions following the rise of Castro’s government in 1959. In 1968, she emigrated to Madrid, Spain, where she worked as a commercial photographer, capturing family events such as quinces, weddings, and other celebrations.

From 1972 onwards, Torres focused on photographing prominent figures in the Hispanic entertainment industry, including Libertad Lamarque, Blanquita Amaro, Armando Manzanero, Rocío Jurado, and Sara Montiel, among others, as well as theatrical and concert performances.

more than 40 years, Torres has documented Miami’s cultural scene, photographing ballet, theater, and concerts. Her work covers Miami venues such as Sociedad Pro Arte Grateli, Ballet Concerto, the Miami-Dade County Auditorium, the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, the Gusman Cultural Center, and emerging theaters like Prometheus Theater and Pocket Community Theaters. Additionally, she captured performances at venues like Teatro Bellas Artes and Teatro Las Máscaras, both important to Miami’s cultural life.The Asela Torres Photography Collection is part of the University of Miami Cuban Heritage Collection.