Omar + I, Syrian Camp, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2018

This happened to be the scene after the photography one afternoon, as the community invited me to celebrate a wedding. The leader's daughter married and the groom's family had a full week's worth of feasts to prepare for the camp. I have known this young man for 21 years, and it was an honor to be seated next to the leaders of the community, men who once were boys of my photography. So they refused to let me leave and we dug right in a few hours ago!

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Letters + Chalkboard, Shamli District, India, 2018

Thanks to a generous circle of friends here on FB these letters were written onto the wall by an entire class. Each young girl walked to the wall and wrote two to three letters. It was a team effort, and then the class was dismissed. Portraiture is my thing usually, however such a photograph had to me made!

Nirvanavan Foundation opened the school earlier this year within the local madrasa, thanks to the cooperation of Imdadullah Nadvi Nadvi and Kari Shokeen. In addition to the Koranic classes provided at the madrasa, now close to 100 girls are sitting down to the Uttar Pradesh curriculum which includes Hindi, Urdu, English and more.

At least once a week they also sit down to draw, and paint. This is something completely new and is embraced by the students wholeheartedly. What surprised me pleasantly even more so was the men's reaction to the art... they sincerely enjoyed it.

The school is doing well, and we are looking to support the progress. I will be reaching out to the present donors, as well as embracing those looking to join this movement. Anyone interested please do let me know.. all information will be provided of course.

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Note: This image was exposed using a Hasselblad V system.

Young Ballerina + Horse, Guanabacoa, Cuba, Summer of 2017

Here she stands in the middle of a field reserved for horses and boys playing soccer. Early in the morning the horses are brought out to eat grass, while the boys come out later to play. The young Cuban ballerinas love to have their photographs made here as well, and we usually end up doing so after using other areas in this beautiful neighborhood.

I have had the honor of photographing her for the past two years and look forward to doing better this summer. Her parents come along to watch their daughter perform, and are beyond proud of her progress. The truth of the matter is that this young girl has never been shy. She has always presented herself without reservation to the camera, always.

In fact she would rather be photographed on her own rather than with anyone else. This is a source of sweet tension between her and her parents, for they want her to learn from others. Nonetheless she does perfectly on her own and I am proud of her for choosing to do so.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Elder, Humana India, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2016

With gratitude to Humana India, this image is being shared.

Perhaps the most beautiful landscape from my travels through India, this incredible region also had one of its kindest communities. We spent about one week documenting two dozen schools, and with each experience my impression of the communities was enhanced.

When we began our photography this morning a few elders gathered to watch. I looked their way a few times and saw this beautiful man wearing the most beautiful fabrics. Without translation we looked at each other and agreed on making his portrait. He walked over as a few of the children giggled, and stood poignantly for his photograph to be made.

The landscape was just as beautiful, and complimented the colors on his skin perfectly. He stood at this spot for less than a minute, then walked away quietly to sit alongside the other elders. I so look forward to seeing his portrait on film hopefully soon.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Ballerina + Contemporary Dancer, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2015

When it comes to her imagination limits are irrelevant. She sees another dancer and ideas immediately appear in her exquisite mind. This was the case one day when we went to pick her up from dance school. She introduced us to this incredible, young man and we instantly agreed on a collaboration. 

Their forms of dance were quite different, yet they meshed beautifully. He was a few years older and took on the roll with elegance and grace. She accepted his direction with humility and we were there to witness the dance between ballet and contemporary dance... releasing the shutter as they allowed us to do so.

This young man was perfectly ready when we picked him up, and was the same in front of the lens. His physical endurance was admirable, and he gave 110% under the heat of the sun as if he was on a grand stage. This goes the same of course for the Magnificent One, for at only 14 years old she has been photographed by me for over seven years.

I look forward to this summer, and hope we can do much more for these two together!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Young Student + Temple, Nirvanavan Foundation, Rajasthan, India, April of 2015

This young girl represents our second school, within a few kilometers of the school from the previous post. She is the youngest of seven children, five sisters and two brothers I believe. At her tender age, she is the youngest in the class yet is so talented that she steps in front of the other students and recites the lessons from memory rather than looking at the charts on the walls.

Here she sits just inside the temple adjacent to the classroom, photographed with the help of my dear brother and driver, holding the reflector for her sake. This year we made photographs in the traditional way, yet found chances to try some new approaches.

While many of these images show beautiful girls in idyllic environments, the fact is that most of these girls are in these schools because they lack access to a formal, government education. While the reasons vary from a general distrust of the government system to the need for these girls to perform daily chores around the house, the result is the same. The dress that she was wearing in this picture was the same dress that she wore during all of my visits this past year. The straps behind her back are stitched together in order for her to be able to wear it.

This is the reality that my images are unable to show, and perhaps by design. I hope that we can continue our support for these schools, and witness a brighter future for her and her friends in the village.

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Girl and Bench, Nirvanavan Foundation, Near Alwar, Rajasthan, India, November 1, 2009

We had just finished photographing in direct sunlight and decided to produce a session in the shade.  The village allowed us to walk around as we desired. We went from home to home looking for a perfect spot, and found the one above.

The sun was high above us, but a little behind the roof of this small room. A narrow path ran left to right of this space, with a natural fence marking the boundary behind us. One person, sometimes two, held a reflector behind me and to the right. The children took turns sitting on the ledge for a few exposures, then jumped down.

I photographed this young girl earlier in the sun, a dozen or so meters away from this spot. She was magnificent and stood strong in spite of the strong sunlight. When we finished and began walking around looking for a spot, to my extreme delight she followed us. As people talked I continued to look for her and she never disappointed me, always walking closely with the most curious, serene eyes.

She never spoke a word, never made a sound. When asked to sit for her portrait she did so with a most delicate grace. To describe my happiness when such a precious spirit allows me to document her is nearly impossible. I am always speechless when the answer is 'yes,' and always grateful. Perhaps this can be attributed to my present surroundings when such a portrait of a child by a stranger is almost impossible; perhaps it's the idea of my lens being the conduit through which she expresses her thoughts to a larger audience.

Regardless, I am speechless each time I am allowed to photograph such a girl. This reaction never ceases to be solicited under such circumstances, even after so many years and thousands of people. I made this portrait over four years ago and still remember it as if it happened yesterday. I remember the scene, the people, the house and the courtyard to the right with the pile of grass stacked high.

The good people of Nirvanavan Foundation are doing incredible work in this and other villages in the area. They have produced a school of exquisite quality and have enrolled hundreds of children from the surrounding villages in their program. They are a selfless bunch, and continue to inspire me.

To learn more about this beautiful foundation and its good works, you may follow the website listed below as well as my own website, which has a gallery dedicated to it.

halim.ina@gmail.com
Halim Ina Photography
Nirvanavan Foundation

An Afternoon of Medical Care, Chota Village, Rajasthan, India, November 14, 2009

The children huddle close to each other as they watch the good people of Humana People to People dispense medical knowledge and medicine. This is the courtyard of the foundation school, and the man supporting the small child oversees the schools in the area.

During her visits to this and other villages, the medical volunteer meets with women to discuss various medical issues ranging from prenatal care to diet and nutrition. Without her presence the women and girls of these villages would otherwise lack the most basic of medical information and care.

All of the women in this single image have been photographed by me on several occasions spanning four years. I have had the privilege to work with them in the past and hope to support the reopening of their school starting in 2013. On many occasions I have eaten in this home and tea has been served to me during every single visit.

The white wall behind them is the white wall used in my photography to achieve the white background so many people wonder about upon seeing the portraits. Having the girls stand two meters away from it allows the subtle discolorations to disappear. These girls never cease to amaze me, their curiosity is unlike any other and one can see this in the image above.

I love this about them, their lust for life and their desire to learn. This point alone drives me to move forward with the search for funding and to sit down at the end of a long day to type out these words. Should you or your friends have any interest in becoming a party to this important endeavor, you may feel free to contact me through the information below.

halim.ina@gmail.com

Halim Ina Photography

Student, Smile, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, November, 2009

The young girl above lives in Banganga, Rajasthan and was a student of a Humana People to People Girls Bridge School in her village. She has been photographed by me on at least four occasions, alongside her friends and neighbors.

In our efforts to reopen her school, we have found friendly ears within Humana People to People India. The good people of this organization have listened and have let me present thoughts regarding the schools. They have gracefully accepted the idea and offered help on their side in order to make schools a reality once again for her and others like her.

Just this week a young woman named Ann Averbach reached out to me with a wonderful idea. She and her team are opening a second yoga studio in Santa Barbara and have offered their space as an educational center, as a gallery and as a source of possible financial support for my work; and these five schools are an integral part of my work presently.

The name of her efforts is DiviniTree Yoga and she hopes to open the doors to the space starting the first week of 2013. Should you live in the area, or perhaps have an interest in this collaboration, then you may feel free to contact me through the information listed below. My website has been redesigned by the original designer, Patrick Luu, and contains links to the various foundations from my past photographic work as well as my present ventures in Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Next month we will collaborate in documenting Ann's team of instructors, and hope to produce images worthy of this collaboration. We will then produce a show in her space which reflects this collaboration, images from next month mixed with images from Africa and Asia, as well as the Americas.

I certainly look forward to my California visit next month, and to a lifetime collaboration with Ann. On behalf of the young girl above I share my gratitude for being allowed this opportunity.

halim.ina@gmail.com

Halim Ina Photography

Michel, Metalsmith, Family, Bekaa Valley, Zahle, Lebanon

He has since passed on, but this portrait is etched into my mind. In the early years of my work, my Mother's hometown was the starting point. Visiting the family seemed like a good excuse to take along a camera and head into the streets while they were either working or sleeping.

Language was never a barrier, and people knew my family well. Safety was nothing to be concerned with, and walking in the streets was as natural as I had remembered from childhood. Everywhere I turned someone greeted me with a smile, acknowledged our common thread as Lebanese. Most were curious and conversations would begin very easily.

In this instance this man was working in his shop as a metalsmith. I asked him for his portrait and he offered his time happily. We talked for a few minutes then set up the camera to make the image above. In the middle of setting up he asked about my connection to Zahle. I responded with my Mother's maiden name and, as it turned out, he happened to be related to my Mother as a close cousin. He asked about my family, and then asked if perhaps he should change to more proper clothing for his portrait. I assured him that my Mother would love him as he was, and respect him even more so for allowing her son to make his portrait without doing so.

We worked for a little bit, talked more so and promised to see each other the following year. I returned home to tell my family that I had photographed Michel, and noted the smiles on their faces. They were used to me photographing migrant workers, unknown faces, and were in disbelief that my work now included our family. My Mother however knew my work and was sincerely pleased that I had finally included my own family alongside the endless stream of strangers.

I visited Michel every time we returned to Lebanon over the years, sometimes just passing by his shop and seeing him hard at work. Then one year I heard the news of his passing, that a car had struck him while walking down the narrow street of his shop. I was upset because I have seen firsthand how careless drivers can be on these streets, and knew that he had so much more to give. I admired then and admire even more so now his work ethic, how he cared about his job whether he was working for a prominent farmer or a migrant worker, taking care of their respective tools.

One year I returned with his framed portrait to give to his wife. My Mother gave me directions to his home and I decided to go alone. I knocked on the door and a young African answered the door. After exchanging greetings I asked for Michel's wife. She returned a minute or so later and looked at me in a curious manner. I took the framed photograph and placed it in her hands, the entire time looking at both of their faces. This was the first time that they had seen the image and were so surprised that Michel had  been photographed.

The look on their faces was sufficient in itself, and we separated without saying much more. This experience showed me that people do cherish the visual record, and even more so the fact that one took the time to return their loved ones to them. This I do with honor, and pleasure.

Halim Ina Photography

Young Ballerina, Pan American Stadium, Statues of Athletes, La Habana, Cuba, July 28, 2012

I remember the moment when I first met this young ballerina. It was four years ago and in the midst of perhaps four dozen people in the square of a famous ballet school. I happened to pass by the school while looking for a space to photograph someone else.

In my midst all of a sudden were perhaps two dozen ballerinas. All of them of course were dressed in ballet outfits with various designs, dark and simple. Their hair was perfectly in place, and they were waiting for their classes to begin. Most of the girls were grouped in smaller circles chatting with their friends, while the parents did the same with each other.

Long story short, I found the courage to talk to a few of the parents and gain their trust. In a very public space they then allowed me to arrange their daughters against a white wall and photograph them for a few minutes each. A dozen girls agreed to be photographed, including the young ballerina in the above image. I think that many more would have agreed, but they soon disappeared inside the school to attend classes.

Over the next four years the original ballerinas were discovered once again and multiple sessions undertaken to document their stories. The young girl in the above image is one such person, and this past July was my fourth summer with her and her family since that very first one. Every year has brought me closer to her, and she has opened up more and more with each session.

In July we collaborated over six times, including the very last afternoon of my visit to the island. On this day we were handing out the photographs to all of the families, including hers. We still had a few families to visit when she asked if we were going to work with her later in the afternoon. Alejandro and I looked at each other and told her that we would if we were finished delivering the photographs and if the sun was shining.

I still had perhaps twenty rolls of film and was hungry to expose them in Cuba, rather than bringing unexposed film back to the States. So when we finished with delivering the photographs and looked up to see sunny skies, we called her immediately and made our way to the Pan American Stadium for our final session. She was incredible, moving from one location to another, allowing me to photograph her hair in its natural state.

Working with this young spirit is incredibly uplifting, she is consistently happy and immensely creative. While some models have a hard time coming up with ideas, this young pre-teenager's concepts are only as limited as my ability to document them. She allows the hair to cover her face, to blow with the wind without submitting to the reflex of fixing it.

In one instance I was changing rolls of film when I watched my camera/tripod tumble over and hit the concrete with a terrible sound. The lens struck the surface straight on, denting the filter. Any other time I would have lost my mind, since only two lenses are with me during my trips. This afternoon it only affected me for a second, the filter was changed and we continued with the photography. The camera body had a vibration while transporting the film to its next frame, but my only thought was with the images yet to be made.

Nothing else mattered except this young girl in front of me, performing like no other for the sake of our collaboration. We worked until the sun set, and managed to finish the last roll of film. It would be impossible to describe a more perfect ending to this past summer in Cuba. 

For more images, and history behind them, please visit my website:

Halim Ina Photography

Leandro, El Estadio Panamericano, La Habana, Cuba, July 26, 2012

After several months out of the darkroom, the past few days have reignited my desire to print the images. Since the Cuban negatives happened to be sitting in order on my table, it made all the sense in the world to start with them. This and the fact that I'm unable to wait much longer!

Before printing I made one promise to myself, print everyone's negatives first before going back to print multiple negatives of the same person, unless two negatives of the same person happened to look great from the same roll, for ease of printing of course.

The above image is of Leandro, and was made in front of the stadium built for the Pan American Games held on 1991 in Cuba, just outside of La Habana. On my way to Alamar to photograph a couple of dancers a few years ago, the white walls of this magnificent structure caught my eyes. Since that time many of our people have followed us here happily, since it allows them to have their portraits made without the entire neighborhood watching.

On this beautiful morning, Leandro and Camila performed a special piece for us, something that they had been working on just recently and had yet to show in public. I felt honored then and even more so now to have been the recipient of their hard work, their most expressive movements.

Asked to wear darker clothing, neither one disappointed me. This they shared happened to be their preference as well. My dear friend Alejandro picked me up before six in the morning, and we headed to  Leandro's place where they were both waiting for us, on time and ready to perform. This beautiful man was humble, sensitive to our needs, courteous and most of all professional. He had only known us for twenty or so minutes and yet was able to share with us his most intimate visions.

I look forward to handing the prints to him and Camila next summer, and to doing this all over again.

Halim Ina Photography

Kylee, Model, Mother, Sister, El Mirage Lake, Los Angeles, California, September 14, 2012

Having just returned from Los Angeles, my focus now turns to reflection rather than production of images. The next few entries will highlight the beautiful spirits met during my time on the west coast, and documented through my photography.

Needless to say many messages are sent to various women near the Los Angeles area, yet only a small percentage respond. Out of these responses, even less continue the conversation and even fewer make it their intent to realize a collaboration.

The young woman above is named Kylee and our session almost never happens. After exchanging an incredible number of messages and happily so, she learns of a complication in her schedule that makes her unable to collaborate with me. She is palpably sad in her messages to me, and only confirms my thoughts about her, that she is a most genuine person.

As it happens the afternoon of that same day is open and this is shared with her. Pure joy is her reaction and we revise our time to meet about one hour away from the agreed-upon location of our session. From my first email correspondence through the messages exchanged this evening, this most beautiful spirit has shown me nothing but love, kindness and understanding. She loves the people in my portfolio and is kind enough to donate her time to the work. In her understanding of their stories, she confirms her status as a sister to the people in my portfolio.

Rather than complain about the distance, she drives on her own and comes along with me for the final leg of the trip. Rather than demand a stylist and a make-up artist, she offers her wardrobe and goes out of her way to purchase specific pieces for the session. Rather than worry about her hair, she allows me to wet it completely and cover her face with the very mud of the lake bed.

Needless to write, the temperature on the lake bed is difficult to take and even more so when we are working. Instead of complaining while she is performing demanding movements, she smiles and continuously exclaims: 'awesome!'

On our way to El Mirage Lake, we run across a tumbleweed and decide to bring it along with us, and it seems to fit into our session perfectly. The shape of it dances within the spaces between her limbs, and this is done spontaneously.

In her own words written tonight:

'From the moment that I saw your portfolio I knew that you were not just a photographer I wanted to work with, you were a photographer I needed to work with. I felt the passion and love in each and ever one of your photos and I could see your dedication along with your bright and righteous spirit. It shined through all of your images. I could only imagine what we could create together and I knew that working with you would bring something unique to my portfolio, it did way more than that. The images captures are beyond AWESOME and I can not wait until your next trip to L.A.'

The above words are further proof of her selfless nature, and her desire to give rather than to take. I look forward to working with Kylee in the near future and following her with my camera for life.

Halim Ina Photography

A brother named Baba, Humana People to People, Rajasthan, India, November 14, 2009

On this cloudy day we were forced to make portraits in a different manner. We arranged a bench in the front courtyard of the teacher's home, also the school for the neighborhood girls sponsored by Humana People to People in India. The entrance to the courtyard is to the left, and to the right is an open space just above the red, stone wall.

One by one the men sat on the bench for their pictures. For the most part their expressions were serious, every now and then breaking into a smile. This gentle man however was the exception, always in the mood for humor and leading the way as an example for the children all around us.

One would never know it by his demeanor in public, but he lives a most difficult life. He works incredibly hard for the foundation, and was the main person in charge of our collaborative efforts throughout my time in Rajasthan. He was always on time, and beyond dependable. He communicated to me without reservation even though his english skills were most basic. He was never afraid to use the wrong word, because he knew that his thoughts would translate in a most genuine manner regardless.

I should and will learn to speak his language, in light of the obvious fact that I am in his neighborhood.

During my time with Baba, he took me to his land one day. We sat down for a chat, and he displayed to me the plants/trees he had placed in cooperation with Humana People to People India. These were to be used in the future as fuel, and he was proud of the collaboration. What amazed me most was his vision, for he saw into the future when so many around him were understandably focused on the present.

On the land was a most basic structure that served as his home. His wife was present inside but was unable to visit with us due to her ailing health. In front of me was this man that needed to tend to his wife, needed to take care of his land, yet worked feverishly with Humana People to People in order to better his section of the Earth.

I am most proud to call this man my brother, and to acknowledge the meaning of his name. He is a father to me in India, and will always be thought of as such.

For more of my work, please visit the newly designed website below, courtesy of Patrick Luu.

Halim Ina Photography

Mursi Boy, Decoration, Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, February, 2010

Color film is always with me but old habits usually prevent me from using it. Every once in a while a roll is loaded and a few images are made. Even less frequently it is scanned and reviewed, usually put away for future reference.

This past week a few were scanned and the above image is an example from my visit to Ethiopia in 2010. People warned us about these villages and gave us the impression that photography in my style would be nearly impossible. We heard stories of villagers crowding the cars, at times rocking the vehicles until their demands were met.

The exact opposite was experienced. Sure they wanted to sell their goods in order to make a living. Then again show me one group on this planet doing otherwise. These good people made their own baskets, their own ornaments. They even had a sense of humor about it. The women would ask for my hand in order to show me an ornament. Then they would walk away, too far for me to give it back, asking for payment in return. They would however always take their product back, with the exception of the four purchased by me.

I admire this population greatly, for their lives are extremely difficult. The surroundings even for a few days were most difficult on us. Tourists were amongst them daily, yet they ignored the glitter and glamor that came along with the SUVs and the digital screens.

This young boy carried an ornament rather than the AK-47 that the adults seemed to enjoy. He stood on the bumper of our truck in order to allow us the sky as the background. His portrait was only made in color in light of the white beads present. He allowed me a few exposures and went along his way.

I hope to return and photograph the Mursi Community of the Lower Omo Valley in the near future.

For more of my work, please visit the newly designed website below, courtesy of Patrick Luu.

Halim Ina Photography

Señor Anache, Outskirts of Havana, Cuba, Morning of July 23, 2012

We arrive very early this morning after having missed the opportunity to photograph Señor Anache yesterday. Before the rest of the neighborhood wakes up and the street fills with children, we decide to make his portrait. He sits against a white wall and the sun strikes the building behind me, the reflection of the latter is clearly visible in his eyes.

The entire time he is gracious, as are his neighbors. When we ask for their portraits they give without resistance. My dear good friend Alejandro grew up in this neighborhood and his family lives on this street. Much of our time here is spent in his brother's home, drinking freshly made juice and talking about music.

We make images of Señor Anache with and without his shirt. He speaks of a lifetime devoted to his work and his family, and is as sharp as men half his age. At times he smiles openly, at times he is a little more reserved. Rather than being timid during his session, he glows with a sense of pride for all to see.

After our time with Señor Anache we begin photographing the girls in the neighborhood, giving them a little bit of time to get ready. We photograph three girls with indirect light, and then find some rest in the home of Alejandro's brother. This is a new neighborhood for me, and one to look forward to in the years to come.

For more of my work, please visit the newly designed website below, courtesy of Patrick Luu.

Halim Ina Photography

Dinner in Banganga, Students from the School, Banganga, Rajasthan, India, November 22, 2009

As summer approaches here in the States, students will be looking forward to vacation and rightfully so. At the same time in Rajasthan, girls in the villages of my photography will continue their chores without change, for their schools were closed two years ago in spite of exemplary efforts from Humana People to People India.

At the time of this image, the school was still functional. The woman standing to the right of the frame is the mother of these two young girls, also their teacher in the village school. She watches over them as they prepare our meal. They consider me a part of their family and I consider them in the same manner. They have been with me since the beginning of my work in Rajasthan, and will be with me for as long as I am able to visit them.

In this room they make one of my dinners, with the second of my dinners being made just next door by their aunt. They find it a bit comical and enjoy watching me attempt to finish two meals, one after the other. They must see the sweat on my forehead and my need to drink glass after glass of water. Regardless, or perhaps of such, they continue to feed me in some effort to make sure that my return home is a healthy one.

Every ingredient in their meals comes from the earth around them, and tastes like nothing in my culinary experience with the exception of my Mother's cooking, and that of my family in Lebanon. Their ability to do everything for themselves impresses me continuously, even more so with the girls of these two families. Everything they do seems effortless. Watching them makes me feel quite useless actually, distant from the land that nurtures all of us.

We have received some wonderful news this past week and look forward to the possibility of the reopening of five schools. We are now looking to increase that possibility through our network and hope that the readers of this blog will find inspiration to be a part of this project.

For more of my work, and to contribute your thoughts regarding this project, please visit the newly designed website below, courtesy of Patrick Luu.

Halim Ina Photography

Girls, Students, Humana People to People India, Early in the Morning, November 17, 2009

In the previous post a story is shared regarding an elderly man from this village. The remote location of this village coupled with a certain attitude towards the education of girls in this area has made it quite difficult for the girls to attend school in the past. With the elderly man's permission and understanding these girls have had the experience of a school inside of their own village through the good efforts of Humana People to People India.

Since this image was made the school was forced to close due to a lack of funding. Humana People to People is doing wonderful work in this village as well as in dozens of villages across the countryside in Rajasthan, India. Their work has expanded to various other regions of India and encompasses solar energy projects, micro loan initiatives, farming clubs and so forth. Education is one aspect of their approach, especially the education of girls traditionally held back from going to school.

So we find ourselves once again searching for ways to fund this school and nine others like it. These girls are like girls from all over the world. They giggle for the same reasons, they laugh in the same pitch and long for a chance to become educated. Like economists all over the world, they understand the importance of this most immediate need and will pass on their education to their daughters and sons.

Just before this image we worked for perhaps two hours making portraits of each and every single girl enrolled in the school. They met me in the morning before the sun came up, shivering in the coolness of the morning. The clothes in which they are dressed at this moment are different than the clothes they chose to be photographed in earlier. They know my preference for simpler and darker clothes and blessed me with this single wish. They know my aesthetic limitations and forgive me for such.

I adore these young girls, as I adore spirits persevering when circumstances are most difficult. We will find support for their school quite soon. These are the smiles that await me later this year, perhaps early next year, when I visit them while attending class in their village.

For more of my work, please visit the newly designed website below, courtesy of Patrick Luu.

Halim Ina Photography

Man and Horse, Humana People to People, Rajasthan, India, November 17, 2009

Every session presents unforeseen opportunities. While we rest a bit after our early morning session, this man approaches on his horse. With a gesture he asks for his portrait to be made. He maneuvers with ease, creates a few poses and then moves along quietly. Just to his left gather the girls for a short class.

Only with his permission can the school in the village succeed. Humana People to People can present their best case, but it is up to this man and his male colleagues to allow their girls access to education. While boys in this village have access to government schools, the girls in this village fall outside of this most basic of educational platforms.

With this man and others like him, girls now have the chance to attend classes. The excitement during my visit is a testament to their exuberance. They are up before the sun rises in anticipation for our session, and come dressed in the most beautiful colors. They stand shivering due to the early morning chill, yet have smiles all over their faces. This is possible because the elders of the village have given their permission for our session, and have fostered an environment in which the girls may be themselves.

I am proud to know this man, and to have made his portrait. His single spirit cancels thousands unlike him, and will allow the light to burn bright in dozens of girls in his village. His is the face of change.

For more of my work, please visit the newly designed website below, courtesy of Patrick Luu.

Halim Ina Photography

Three Women, Smiles All Around, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India, November, 2009

As a constant guest to these incredible places, I cannot understate the significance of a smile in my work.

So much of the subject matter is deeply serious, and the people involved in the work a most dedicated group. As a result, when smiles break out in such a setting everyone breathes in a more relaxed fashion. Here are three women involved in the education of pregnant women, witnesses to a world where even the most basic medical care is out of reach for those very women whom they encounter.

In spite of these and other difficulties, they take a moment to laugh for the camera. They impress on me the need to have hope in the midst of suffering. They will themselves go home after their time in this village and prepare the meals for their families, clean the house and more than likely go with their daughters to fetch water from great distances.

They inspire me to do more for their daughters, and my hope is that they inspire you, the reader.

halim.ina@gmail.com
Halim Ina Photography