About

I'm Efrain, a photographer whose journey began as a teenager in Atlanta, GA, where photography first emerged as a creative outlet and personal passion. What started as a hobby gradually evolved into years of freelance work, capturing people, places and stories with an intuitive, documentary approach.

In 2024, I took a more intentional step forward with "Photography by Effy", refining my voice and sharpening my craft. Now in 2026, I'm reintroducing my work under Tōnal - a rebrand rooted in presence, energy and meaning. Expanding into both photography and video, my work reflects not only my creative evolution, but also my cultural foundation.

Tōnal is derived from Nahuatl, referring to one's inner energy or life force - the unseen essence that shapes each moment. This philosophy anchors my approach, creating work that captures not just how a moment looks, but how it feels.