Three Women, Alwar, Rajasthan, India, November 18, 2008

So who are the women who have endured the world of human trafficking? Where are the faces behind the numbers and charts?

These three women live within the Kanjar Community, and have witnessed with their own eyes the world of the sex trade. This has been the reality within which they have had to live, and into which their labor has been forced.

So who are the women who have endured the world of human trafficking? Where are the faces behind the numbers and charts?

These three women live within the Kanjar Community, and have witnessed with their own eyes the world of the sex trade. This has been the reality within which they have had to live, and into which their labor has been forced.

They stood for their portraits 8 years ago so that perhaps their daughters would have a better chance, so that perhaps the world would wake up. Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation are doing their absolute best to honor these women, and their daughters.

Jesse Bach and Elana are also doing their best here in Northeast Ohio, where countless women also share this most unfortunate of stories. Let's support them in their quest for human rights and justice.

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Note: These portraits were made with a Hasselblad V system.

Student to Teacher, Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, 2014

For the contributors to the two schools located near Virat Nagar, her portrait is being shared. Just this past week we achieved funding of these two schools thanks to a dozen who had come forward to do so. This young woman lives in the village just funded by our new team, congratulations to all involved!

This young woman used to be a student in one of the schools, while her aunt was the teacher. She went on to finish her secondary training and has now become our sewing instructor.

She has truly grown up into an incredible, young woman. When she was younger she was extremely shy, although always happy to be photographed. Now she is able to stand her ground, and carry conversations at length with foreigners and people from the foundation. She presents at first with a tough look, and then at a millisecond her smile appears... and a smile without comparison.

When we left last year she told me that she would like to open a sewing class in the village of her future husband. This made me immensely proud, for she has gone from student to teacher to activist!

We will support her in this endeavor, and in her future one as well.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Fuji Neopan Acros 100 ISO film.

Cousins + Me, Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, 2016

This week we achieved something on a grassroots level that I thought was impossible, after having tried for so long. A simple post about supporting a single school turned into annual support for that school. With this achievement, we now have two schools near this town fully supported. This gives me further inspiration to move forward with our third school, this one a bit further and quite a bit larger. I am thankful to all of the contributors, and share this image of me and two cousins for your review.

The young girl to my right is our sewing instructor, while the young girl to my left is the daughter of our school's teacher. They wanted to dress up and make some photographs at the end of our session on this afternoon, and looked so beautiful. They have truly grown up since our first days together over ten years ago, and have made me incredibly proud.

Congratulations to the incredible dozen for making these two schools happen!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3 by my friend Amanpreet Singh.

Ramón Perez Pereira, Artista de la Plástica, Havana, Cuba, 2016

This summer on the island was a little different, as we spent some time outside of photography. While assisting one day on an avenue, an artist's work caught my attention. He was very sweet, and talked at length with me about his work.

While the subject matter was sublime, the paper onto which it was printed had an incredible story. It was completely made by the artist and, as with this example, the telephone book was used in the paper's making. One could see the names of people, as well as their phone numbers.

According to the artist, the hand, both in form and in color, represented the idea of revolution. When speaking about his work, Ramón always had a smile on his face. The man was sincerely proud of his efforts, and made an impression on me.

Memories of Patricia, Styling by Yudel, Havana, Cuba, 2015

Along with the art posted earlier, a memory from last year is presented. Two artists are represented in this image, the model and the man responsible for the fabrics worn. We are fortunate enough to have the fabulous Yudel as the stylist, and Patricia as the talent to bring the fabrics to life.

While most of the images previously posted from these sessions are serious, I wanted to show how fun the sessions truly are, especially when this young model comes along.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Kodak TMX film.

Model + Home in Countryside, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

Ever since we collaborated last summer we remained in contact, and planned on working together this summer as well. So when we arrived in July we called immediately, and she was ready to create. This was even more visible when we were granted the clothing line designed by the magnificent Yudel R. Contreras Garcia. Rachel Hortensia Lopez Thompson took to the clothes like she owned them. She is a chameleon and produces incredible expressions regardless of location, or strength of sunlight. When the sun was too strong, she put her sunglasses on and continued with the session. We were fortunate to have found this location thanks to Alejandro Godinez Ramos. This happened to be his son's neighborhood, and since we began using it last summer he has become quite the celebrity in town, waving to the residents as we drive by with the models in the car. His family jokes with him about the work with me, jabbing him in the ribs with jokes regarding the hardships he faces. Little do they know how difficult the work is truly, as he wakes up well before 4:30 a.m. to pick the young models up from their homes in the city, then passing by my place to pick me up as well. I both admire and respect this man, and hope we continue this work alongside Rachel and Yudel next summer!
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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III.

Young Bedouin + Birds, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2008

Does she still live in Lebanon? Had she moved back to Syria since this portrait was made? How does she look? Does her family still live as migrants? Are they now considered refugees?

These are some of the questions in mind as plans are made to visit Lebanon very soon. Certainly everything has changed in the region, and the possibility of making portraits once again is less than slim. This time around the visit is about my immediate family, while of course keeping in mind my photographic family.

I will visit her camp, and hope to see her and her sisters as well. At least we will reunite, and plan for perhaps next year when we hope the region will be free from the present tragedies.

She and her sisters are on my mind today, and will be until we see each other this Fall.

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Note: This image was made with a Canon G10.

Young Syrian + Sky, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2008

Following yesterday's posts is yet another young girl from the same camp. This was where it all began for me, and will continue to be a part of my photography. LIfe has changed dramatically for the Syrians living in Lebanon certainly, as they have tragically lost the homes in Syria to which they used to return in between seasons.

These images are from more innocent times, when Syria and Lebanon were stable, as stable as recent memory could remember of course. These families lived in the Bekaa Valley and worked odd jobs, earning more than they could have earned back in Syria.

I used to drive my uncle's car to their camp on my own, and walk around the camp without question. They have known me for almost two decades now, well before this young girl was born. Often times we had dinner together, and always had tea. They are as generous as any in my life, and will always be remembered as the ones who had first accepted me as a photographer.

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Note: This image was made with a Canon G10.

Young Boy, Small Village, Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

Earlier this year we had the honor of being accepted once again by the Muslim community living near this beautiful city. Without more than a day's notice while near the city we called our contacts from the previous year, and they invited us immediately to their village.

The next few days were spent photographing the schools in these villages. At first communication was easy thanks to my driver from Delhi. However when the time came for him to head back, it became my first time in India when I was on my own, without translator.

While this was somewhat intimidating, at such a distance from the capital and on my own in an environment at times hostile to the thought of photography, there was a calm feeling as well. My hosts were also perhaps a bit nervous, for they were worried about me.

However when it came time to head out this morning for the photography, it was actually quite simple. We used sign language to set the time and decided the evening before which school to visit. We decided to visit the Islamic school in the village first, then the government school.

The Islamic school was very close to the house, a five minute walk. When we arrived the men were preparing to pray, while students were entering the mosque. All of them looked at me in a surprised way, as I was an unknown man entering a mosque with a camera. What made this all possible was my host family, for they were both the religious leaders in the area and also have their son as the political leader of the region.

Nobody asked questions as we arranged to photograph the girls first, and then the boys. We decided to walk outside of the grounds of the mosque in order to make it easier on everyone. All of the students followed us after a few minutes, giving us a bit of time to get ready.

We were going to begin with the girls when I noticed this young boy. His eyes caught my attention immediately, and I decided to photograph him first before the sunlight became too bright for him. We used Ilford Delta 400 film for this portrait, so as to take advantage of the low level of light.

An entire roll of film was exposed, and this was the last one on the roll. He was so beautiful, so calm. Instead of the usual, white head covering… he had a colored piece which was perfect. His shirt was so elegant, making this portrait one of my favorite from my time in India this year.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Ilford Delta 400 film, scanned through the negative sleeves for review only.

Mariel on Film, El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, California, 2015

The two together are incomparable, Mariel and film. This was my second time with her, and both times on film. She presented on both occasions perfectly prepared, with the most exquisite wardrobe. She truly understands my approach, and embraces the other girls and women in my portfolio.

She is of course an accomplished model and actor, and wants those in my work to understand that she is a sister to them. She certainly is and brings only her best to our sessions. Our travel to and from this location is always filled with wonderful conversations, which affects in the most positive manner the photography.

We communicate beautifully without words while collaborating, and I am always in awe of her talents. In this portrait, which took my breath away, a single tear fell slowly as the shutter was released. It was a precious moment, and one which will always be represented through this photograph.

Only Mariel and I know the reason for the tear of course, but rest assured that the reason is a beautiful one… born from happenstance.

In less than two weeks we will hopefully be at El Mirage, and will once again document her spirit on medium format film!

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Fuji Neopan Acros 100 ISO film.

Young Indian + Green Eyes, Humana India, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2016

So many people ask me, 'why not boys?'

My photography since day one has included boys, and continues to include boys. When we photograph a village we include the boys. While most are photographed using the digital camera, saving the limited number of rolls for the girls in my work, every once in a while a young boy such as this one appears and demands film!

Aside from his luminous eyes, his presence screamed film. He had a confidence about him that was quite beautiful, and it seemed that all recognized it. When I asked to photograph him with the 'big' camera, he just smiled, as did the rest of the children.

Even though he had light eyes, he was able to maintain himself in the face of the sun. His smile was effervescent, truly remarkable. A few frames were exposed within a minute and he walked away to join his classmates with his head up high.

Yesterday this frame was scanned, and I couldn't be happier to see his smiling face once again almost six months after it was recorded with film.

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Note: This image was scanned through the negative protective sleeves for the purpose of review only. It was exposed by a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Dancer + Water, Mentor Headlands, Ohio, 2016

Back from Cuba only a few days and already getting the itch to get out there and make some dance images. Before my trip to the island this summer I had the privilege of working with Faith, and we visited the beautiful park at Mentor Headlands. This is another image from our short afternoon.

It was a beautiful day, and the task ahead of us was to make images with the sun setting to the water. My preference has always been to make images with the water and horizon to the back of the dancer. Looking for different views was a challenge, yet gave me a new perspective on backgrounds as well as an appreciation for what we have right here in northeast Ohio.

The park is quite beautiful, and photographs abound. We had a great time, worked for little more than an hour, and headed back home with a dozen or so rolls exposed. Tomorrow I edit the remaining few images for Faith, and hope that they are as beautiful as this one.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad analog system onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Young Student, Nirvanavan Foundation, Rajasthan, India, 2016

For the wonderful circle associated with this young girl's school in Rajasthan, I share her freshly scanned negatives from last week. Thanks to all of you she has a school to attend, and she and her friends in the village will continue to attend! She lives near a small town called Virat Nagar in the beautiful state of Rajasthan, and has been a part of my work since her birth… since I have photographed her sisters for the past 10 years!
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Note: These images were made with a Hasselblad analog system onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Model + Farmer, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

Thanks to Alejandro Godinez we found this incredible space, and so much more in this small village. It so happens to be where his son also lives, and he is somewhat of a star in the area after this summer's worth of models visiting with us!

In this image is the timeless Patricia, someone who has collaborated with us in the past and continues to do so without reservation. She always greets me over the phone with a gentleness and always accepts our invitation to be photographed. We documented her on this day in Yudel's magnificent creations, the supremely gifted clothing designer in the beautiful city of Havana.

While we were making this image a local man was working in the field behind Patricia. As he moved we moved, so as to include him in the images. She happened to notice that and without turning around spoke with him in a sweet way, prompting him to stop and allow us to photograph in this spot for a few more seconds.

She was and is something else, and I for one look forward to documenting more of her next summer!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted next to and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system.

Dancer + Grass Path, Mentor Headlands, Ohio, 2016

Back from Cuba only a few days and already getting the itch to get out there and make some dance images. Before my trip to the island this summer I had the privilege of working with Faith, and we visited the beautiful park at Mentor Headlands. This was one image from our short afternoon.

It was a beautiful day, and the task ahead of us was to make images with the sun setting to the water. My preference has always been to make images with the water and horizon to the back of the dancer. Looking for different views was a challenge, yet gave me a new perspective on backgrounds as well as an appreciation for what we have right here in northeast Ohio.

The park is quite beautiful, and photographs abound. We had a great time, worked for little more than an hour, and headed back home with a dozen or so rolls exposed. Tomorrow I edit the remaining dozen images for Faith, and hope that they are as beautiful as this one.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad analog system onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Ballerina + Field, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

This young girl has taken part in our photography for the past two years, and has a most supportive mother. We actually met one year prior to our first session, as a friendly Cuban offered to introduce me to his neighbors, this young girl and her mother.

We needed two young dancers for our session and due to a mix-up we never collaborated that first year. Fast forward one year and here we were in front of a popular school speaking when this young girl's mother looks at me and says, 'we met last year!'

This is how the story began, and this past summer was our second year of photography. She has grown up so quickly, and has gained even more confidence than last year. In front of the lens she has incredible potential, moving with serious intent from one stance to another.

I so look forward to delivering the film tomorrow for processing, and picking up the film from this year's visit to India!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted next to and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system.

3 Students + Humana India, Haryana, India, 2016

The past three days have been spent making digital proofs of the film from India, after picking it all up from DC earlier this week. While many of the faces are familiar to me, some jump off of the screen as the most wonderful surprises. Here are just three!

On March 14 of this year these three girls stepped in front of the lens and had their portraits made. While perhaps this was their first time with someone from outside of their village, perhaps this was their first formal photograph… their presence in front of the lens was filled with confidence and strength.

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Note: These images were made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Anyel + Blue Chair, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

The other day when I was posting an image of our second model from this session, Anyel commented as to including one of hers as well. It was done lightly of course, for she knew we had worked with her almost more than anyone else on the island this past summer. 

Well here is one image for you Anyel, to remind us of our beautiful morning together. This young woman was more than on time for us early in the morning, for we arrived at her home at 5:30 a.m. before the hint of sunlight. She was always ready as soon as we arrived on location, and always with a great attitude.

She had a presence in front of the lens, something that was clearly evident to me when we visited the modeling school at the beginning of July. We just knew we needed to include her in our work, and so did the stylist when we discussed his clothes. It ended up that we were fortunate enough to have been right, for she was on fire in front of the lens. 

This one is for you Anyel!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted alongside and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system. 

Model + Scarf, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

On my way back from the summer in Cuba this memory lingers. We were photographing this young woman at our favorite spot when she asked to be photographed with this scarf. She wanted to pay homage to the girls in my work from the East, and wanted to do so while also listening to a special tune. Alejandro put that song on his car stereo, as she moved from one movement to another with the scarf. It was a special moment, and fills me with joy on this beautiful Saturday evening.

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Note: These images was made with a Sony RX100III mounted next to and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system.

Professor + Pigeon, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

A few weeks ago we had the honor and pleasure of working with our exquisite friend once again. She has always been kind to us and shared her talents, as well as the talents of the models in her school. When we arrived to this spot we noticed this pigeon home next to the house we selected for our session, and she immediately took it upon herself to walk up the ladder in this formal dress. I admire and adore this woman, and will always be here to document her spirit.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted next to and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system.

Dancer + Model, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

The week prior to this image was spent in the countryside of Cuba, in the beautiful city of Manzanillo and its surrounding villages. Until those images are shared soon I present this image for your viewing. She has certainly grown into a beautiful young lady from a fabulous young girl, and has only increased the power of her presence in front of the lens I believe. I hope all who know her see the same! This young girl has been photographed by me for the past eight years, while this was the young man's first time with us. They however worked seamlessly together, a tribute to the culture of respect on the island. The young man treated the younger dancer as his sister, with sincere respect and admiration. The result was just incredible.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted next to and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system.

Ballerina + Field, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

Working with this young dancer and her friends here in Cuba continues to inspire me, 8 years after the first images of ballerinas were made. Hope to share much more soon!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted next to and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system.

Model + Racquetball Court, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

The feeling of having found another on this incredible island who truly understands the work is beyond incredible. What is even more amazing is that we have yet to finish our documentation of her immeasurable talent, with next summer being a most promising one on the island thanks in large part to her presence!

She is a young model at my friend's school in Havana, and has another professional life separate from modeling. We had never worked with her before, and when she stepped in front of the camera all of us realized her immeasurable talents. Aside from her patience with the lens, aside from her natural beauty, it was her ability to communicate with the camera which impressed me most. She just understood the language of film, perfectly.

I certainly look forward to the film images as the film is processed, and share her digital images until then.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted alongside and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system.

Model + Racquetball Court, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

Working with this good man was so much fun, as he was a most elegant and kind person. He is one of the few male models with whom we are working in Havana, and he is a charm. Soon I will share the film images, as soon as the film is processed.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III, mounted next to a Hasselblad analog system.

Model + Countryside, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

This past summer on the island was a remarkable one thanks in large part to the exquisite models from my friend's school. Located in Old Havana, the school is run by the magnificent Gisleda, previously a model herself, and includes some of the most beautiful people on the island.

The clothing was provided by the incomparable Yudel, a designer extraordinaire. The pieces were designed and made by his design house, and he was generous enough to lend us the clothing for this session. We chose my friend's neighborhood in the countryside just outside of the capital for this morning. 

It was a mixed morning regarding lighting, subdued in the beginning and then straight sunlight. We adapted to both, and the models were magnificent. This young woman had been photographed by me the previous year, and was truly wonderful. She met at least an hour before sunrise, and gave of herself in the most professional manner and with a smile always.

Soon I will share the film images, as soon as the film is processed.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III, mounted next to a Hasselblad analog system.