João Bacelar was the official backstage and still life photographer for Moda Lisboa for 15 years.

His interest in illustration, design, and photography led him to work at Novo Design (Brandia) and, in 1995, to the opening of a studio with the designer Ricardo Mealha.

João Bacelar also worked in companies such as Young & Rubicam, BMZ/PARK, BBDO, Saatchi and Ogilvy & Mather.

From 2000 onward he received over 30 design and communication prizes (several European Regional Design Awards, Prisma Awards, Eurobest, FIAP, Cannes Festival, Clio Awards, Cresta Awards, The New York Festivals, EMEA, Troféu Diário de Notícias) with works made for institutions such as Portugal Telecom, Sonae, Nissan, Ford, ICEP, Revista Cais, Amnistia Internacional, Sindicato de Jornalistas and Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian.

He has been teaching in the Visual Arts and Design department of Évora University.