Teacher + Student, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

When people ask why Cuba... it is difficult to answer in words. In the beginning perhaps it was the allure of vintage American cars behind the curtain of communism, the Afro-Cuban rhythms carried over to American jazz by greats like Dizzy Gillespie. 

It has been a dozen years since that first visit, and now it is the people of that sweet island... as perhaps it has always been. They are a most magnificent collection of cultures, colors and spirits... turning the everyday into an experience to remember.

Such was this morning with Gysleda and her wonderful apprentice in Guanabacoa, about 20 minutes outside of Havana. It was an ordinary field before they stepped onto the grass. With their immeasurable talents they transformed it into a stage like no other, and helped us produce images hopefully worthy of their efforts.

Nothing needed to be said, as the shutter was released most effortlessly. I am sincerely humbled to call these two women my sisters, and to be allowed to document their performances year after year. My hope is that we can do the same this summer!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Arab Girl + Sky, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2010

Whenever this young girl steps in front of the camera she presents the most beautiful smile. Her features alone are beyond compare, and being with her in person is an indescribable experience. She rarely speaks, and when she smiles she lights up the world. She is of Syrian origin, and lives with her family in Lebanon in order to earn a better living. Their home is a simple tent and is without running water, a toilet... with electricity being a simple wire for a single light.

She and her family have fascinated me from the beginning. They live just outside of the tiny tent city, at the edge of the field. The families in the main homes refer to themselves as Arab, while they refer to her family as Bedouin in origin. She may be 15 years old by now, and my mind can only imagine how beautiful she has become. i look forward to visiting the site of this portrait, and hope to reunite with her family in a few weeks.

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

Zion National Park, Utah, 2016

While having to cancel my trip to Lebanon last year was difficult to do, my time in Utah turned out to be a blessing. Every weekend was a new national park, and every weekend was an opportunity to expand my photography was well as reflect in solitude. It was truly a blessing, and the images from those weekends have left me with the visual memories of those reflections.

Walking and driving through Zion National Park took my breath away. It seemed impossible for this space to have been formed without planning, for it was perfect in every detail. Perhaps this was the true face of nature, something that my eyes had never seen before in my travels. Spending two months in Utah has given me the desire to document the natural beauty of the other countries, while continuing with the portraits of course.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad V System, onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Asian Couple + Mesa Arch, Utah, 2016

Last year what was perhaps a disappointment turned into a blessing. On the eve of my trip to Lebanon work called me to Utah, and in turn gave me a chance to visit the national parks in that beautiful state.

Since it was a bit cold, most of my time in the parks allowed me to photograph without tourists in the scenes. These were some of the most serene moments in my life, allowing me to reflect upon my time away from home as well as the nature of my photography.

Now and then however tourists were hard to avoid, especially in the more popular spaces. This frame is one such example, as Mesa Arch is world famous. Towards the end of my session a group of tourists walked past me and to the arch. They walked around and made some photographs of each other, while taking in the incredible beauty around them.

It was at this moment when the thought came to me: why not photograph the scenes as they are?

So the shutter began to click, and the attached image is the result. The couple clothing reminded me of my own parents, and especially of my father's photographs of my mother in New York City a half century earlier.

As the tourists made their way past me once again, the men stopped to admire the film camera on the tripod. They were astonished to see the camera, and especially the lens mounted. Little did they know that their portrait was made a few minutes before... but my intuition tells me that they would be more than pleased. At least I hope so!

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/250 mm Superachromat lens onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

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

As summer nears my mind wanders to the beaches of Cuba, and the dancers kind enough to allow this collaboration. This young dancer and her parents have been involved in my work for the past two years, and my hope is that this summer makes three. 

We were fortunate enough to have found her as we waited for one of our families in front of the dance school. That morning we were looking for a young dancer to take the role of an apprentice to our veteran dancer. She then appeared seemingly out of nowhere, on the back of her father's bicycle. We knew immediately that she was the one, and the rest is history as is often said.

On the day of this image, we picked her and her parents up from their home in Havana and headed for the beach. We were lucky enough to have sunshine in the late afternoon on the island, and took advantage of the light. She was very courageous and climbed up to be photographed, embracing her moment in the spotlight.

She lives to dance, and takes photography just as seriously. Her family's acceptance humbles me truly, and even more so in that they go out of their way to ask for inclusion in my work. I look forward to this summer, and hope to do better for her and her parents.

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A medida que el verano se acerca, mi mente vaga por las playas de Cuba, y los bailarines son lo suficientemente amables como para permitir esta colaboración. Esta joven bailarina y sus padres han estado involucrados en mi trabajo durante los últimos dos años, y mi esperanza es que este verano sean tres.

Tuvimos la suerte de haberla encontrado mientras esperábamos a una de nuestras familias frente a la escuela de danza. Esa mañana buscábamos a un joven bailarín para que asumiera el papel de aprendiz de nuestro bailarín veterano. Luego apareció aparentemente de la nada, en la parte trasera de la bicicleta de su padre. Inmediatamente supimos que ella era la única, y el resto es historia, como se suele decir.

El día de esta imagen, los recogimos a ella ya sus padres de su casa en La Habana y nos dirigimos a la playa. Tuvimos la suerte de tener sol en la tarde en la isla, y aprovechamos la luz. Ella fue muy valiente y se subió para ser fotografiada, abrazando su momento en el centro de atención.

Ella vive para bailar, y toma la fotografía con la misma seriedad. La aceptación de su familia me humilla de verdad, y más aún porque hacen todo lo posible para pedir la inclusión en mi trabajo. Espero con ansias este verano y espero hacerlo mejor para ella y sus padres.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Eduardo + Rolleiflex, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

To be a photographer on the island is difficult enough, but to be one working exclusively with film is something entirely different. This incredible man, a dear friend and brother, works in a hotel to supplement his love of photography. He works in all three formats, from 35mm to the field camera, and also develops his film in his own darkroom.

As he walks in the streets of the city, most Cubans believe that he is a tourist, until he responds to them in their native tongue. He is one of the few on the island who wants nothing to do with leaving, and embraces his life fully. He is an artist without comparison, and moves to his own rhythm. He speaks to the guests in the hotel in well over four languages and is the man photographers visit when arriving to Cuba.

I am honored to call him my brother, and to know that he always comes along to collaborate when we offer a session with our families. Here he is with his favorite street camera, with that familiar zest for life.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Shanu + Shawl, Nirvanavan Foundation, Rajasthan, India, 2017

She is the most gentle of girls, and alone is reason enough for us to continue with her school. Thanks to the generosity of two dozen from this beautiful circle, she and the girls in her village attend classes guided by Nirvana and his team. She lives adjacent to the school, and attends classes every single day.

When the camera is present, the expression on her face turns completely serious and she steps in front for her portrait. Her hands are usually down to the side, and her gaze is deep and heartfelt. She will look to the other girls nearby now and then, to perhaps share her amazement at being photographed.

She cannot speak, yet communicates volumes... she cannot write, yet uses the chalk and a simple board to express herself perfectly. The school is everything to her, and we aim to make sure that as long as she wants to attend the school will remain. She is the first to greet us when we arrive, and the last to wave goodbye as we drive down the path to the main road.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Anays + El Ministerio del Comercio Exterior, Havana, Cuba, 2016

Here she is again, in another spontaneous performance as we drove around the city to find an appropriate stage. She transforms any location we find into the perfect setting, and is in tune with its significance. 

We were driving around the city and spotted this building. Even though it was drizzling a bit, and there were plenty of people around, Anays and her friend stepped out of the car and performed without hesitation. Her ability to express spontaneously is supreme, and she has my deepest respect for allowing me to be her photographer.

This year she and her mother have moved to the city from the outskirts, and feels that we can make more use of the city in our work. The thought of walking around Havana with Anays in search for locations makes me want to purchase the tickets today!

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad V System, onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Colors of Cuba, Four Emblems, Havana, Cuba, 2016

On every trip a few dozen rolls of color film also come along, and thankfully so in a place like Cuba. The emblems of the cars have enchanted me ever since Alejandro pointed them out to me, when we had cloudy days and nothing to do. 

From that point to the present, anytime we have a free hour we drive around the city looking for these eyewitnesses to the revolution. Like the elders on the island, they have born witness to the revolution since its inception... have driven down the streets for over six decades as the changes unfolded before their bumpers.

The series will continue this summer, and color will come along for the ride!

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Note: These images were made with a Hasselblad V System, onto Kodak Portra 160 film.

Puppy + Doorway, Manzanillo, Cuba, 2016

As we were waiting for the family to prepare their daughter for her portrait, this puppy slowly walked out of the room. He stood still for a minute or so, just long enough for me to expose two frames. Then he went back inside with the calmest of attitudes.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad V System, onto Ilford Delta 100 film.

Campesino, Manzanillo, Cuba, 2016

Last year my brother Alejandro made it possible for us to visit the eastern end of the island, in search of one very specific child and open to all. The countryside is quite sublime, with every corner worth making a moment to explore. We were fortunate enough to know a few families, those willing to take us further into the countryside than ever before during our travels.

During our stay in Manzanillo, we photographed our families in the mornings and then drove out to a few remote neighborhoods to document another way of life. In these smaller villages many of the homes are generations old, and most of the community works with the land. We were welcomed with open arms thanks to our hosts, and were allowed to photograph as we wished as we walked through the villages.

This beautiful man was sitting with his neighbors chatting at the end of the day. We were driving by and decided to stop for a conversation. After a few minutes the topic of photography came up and I shared my albums with them. The families were kind enough to allow me to make their portraits. We did so within the shadows of the trees, with their houses in the background.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Gysleda + Man from Neighborhood, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

Over 8 years ago happenstance brought me to the peerless Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega, and life in Cuba has never been the same for me. Her school for modeling is the place to be, as the most talented from the capital come together to learn from the master. 

Her manner of teaching is sublime, as she teaches through example. While she does guide the young models through her verbal instructions, countless times she walks down the catwalk herself in supreme style.

Saturdays are our days in the school, and we visit with the hope of finding the newest of faces. She always welcomes us with open arms and a kiss. When we show interest in a few students, she informs the students and immediately they respond with enthusiasm... for Gysleda's word carries that much weight.

So on this day we welcomed the idea of photographing Gysleda in the countryside with the stylings of Yudel R. Contreras, a most talented and kind man. As we were getting ready for the session, a young man was walking down the path. She knew immediately that this was an opportunity to engage the community, and went along with the moment. The young man responded beautifully and we exposed a half roll with him alongside the master.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Student + Madrasa, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017

For those of us working with this school, and for those of us looking to join, we present this young student's portrait. This was her first year with us, and she took to the camera in the most natural of ways. This was her expression day after day, as she arrived to school to find us waiting.

She lives in a village near a mystical river, surrounded by the most sublime fields. The village itself is quite small, yet it has a government school and a madrasa. While all of the children are registered in the government school, few actually attend. We visited the school on many occasions to see the well-meaning teachers sitting around with perhaps a dozen students playing in the courtyard.

This is the thought of our host from the village, and it is his intention to try and change the standing of the village's children. He runs the local madrasa and would like a formal curriculum introduced. Thanks to those involved, we have begun the search for three teachers at this time, and have also organized a list of sewing students who are more than ready to begin classes.

Later this year, guided by Nirvana and his team, the formal curriculum will be introduced and the sewing machines will start turning as well!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.