Paola + Hands, La Habana, Cuba, Summer of 2013

Her name is Paola and she lives in an apartment within the center of Havana, Cuba. She loves to model and is enrolled in a fabulous training program run by an incredible woman. We met one day as we sat down at the end of a show, as she walked over to look at my portfolio. She was so calm about it and looked beyond her 12 years.

I asked if she was interested, and she nodded with an incredibly fierce expression. We introduced ourselves to her mother and found a deeply dedicated woman. She defined the word 'support' and always met our offers with a positive answer. 

She always made sure that her daughter was ready, both in terms of timeliness and in terms of wardrobe. When one thinks of the most humble environment in which they live, these acts of selflessness are even more incredible.

This past summer was the summer of hearts, at least hands making the sign of a heart. Paola took part in this beautiful movement, and here she is in all of her glory.

www.halimina.org

Note: These images were made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180mm combination, onto Fuji Neopan Acros 100 ISO film.