Suley + The Blue Chair, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2017

This was the scene of many sessions over the past three years. We have fallen in love with this chair, the most beautiful blue in color. The house itself is also blue, albeit a weathered sense of this color. The neighborhood is familiar with us by now, especially when we had come so many times before with families from the city, ranging from ballerinas to models in search of a different backdrop. The people in this neighborhood are as kind as can be, allowing us always to work without hesitation.

On this morning we came with Suley and another model, a veteran of our work dating back almost a decade. The two young women brought a few changes of clothes with them, and we used my friend's 1951 Oldsmobile as a changing room. We began at a different spot just down the street, more open to the rising sun. People walked by and watched as the young women performed for the lens, in admiration and without judgement for the models in front of them were very much like them. 

We then moved to this spot and continued with our session. Both changed into new outfits and took turns in front of the lens, and then were photographed together. They were ready so quickly that it took me off guard, for usually there is a bit of time between models to make some adjustments to the cameras. At one time the tripod was knocked over with my feet, and all gasped as the cameras hit the ground with such force. Luckily the cameras came back to life after a few minutes, and we continued with the session. 

These are the moments when words fail to describe the feelings inside, the experiences of being with such grateful people. The time they made to help create such images was priceless. The families in these collaborations impress me deeply every single time with their willingness and desire to collaborate. Where else could one meet someone in the street, talk about a possible session and have that session turn into reality the very next day?

They are the reason for my return every single summer, period.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3 mounted adjacent to a Hasselblad V system, both triggered simultaneously.