Young Student + Prayer, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019

For my Muslim brothers and sisters, we are also looking to connect 12 mosques stateside with 12 madrasas in rural Uttar Pradesh. I have been working with this community for over 6 years now, and would love to foster this connection. The idea was presented to me by the headmasters of these schools. One can only imagine the difference we can make!

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Young Student + Digital Negative, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019

For those photographers among us, this week begins a new process in the darkroom for me... digital images enlarged in the traditional wet process. This is the first digital file to be printed onto a transparency, we'll see the result soon enough. Normally after a session of film photography, the digital camera is pulled out and more spontaneous pictures are made for the children. All of a sudden the girls run around to gather their friends and pose for the camera, making the digital process as much fun as the film. So, why not print some of these images with the traditional process? It's about time for me to do so!

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Thread + Needle, Small Village, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

Since COVID-19 forced us to close the schools, we continue to speak with the communities. The government has reopened many of the local business as well as the religious madrasas, but has continued to be more careful with the elementary schools. We are waiting for permission to reopen and will do so under the guidelines of the government.

This young girl is holding her Koran tightly, while facing the setting sun. She has been photographed by me since 2015 and lives in a tiny village within the beautiful state of Uttar Pradesh. In the other two frames a needle placed in thread is being held by the hands of one sewing student. 

While these young women love to be photographed, it is such a different experience for them. So when asked to hold the thread, she did it so tightly that the tips of her fingers turned white from the pressure. I then walked over to her and helped ease both her grip and her nervousness. It's a privilege to connect in such a way with these young women, and to have their confidence. 

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Student + Sister, Sewing Center, Rajasthan, India, 2019

Two people are now supporting this project, so now we are looking for 22 more generous souls. For those of you who have been following my photography and are interested in lending your support to the girls within it, this is a great time.

20 people x $25 a month = 4 sewing centers + 1 school for girls 

In addition to our main school, we are looking to establish 4 sewing centers in, each supporting 12 students. The students attend classes for 2 hours a day, and are supplied with fabric as well for their lessons. At the end of their course each student will receive a new sewing machine.

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Student + Sewing Center, Rajasthan, India, 2019

For those of us interested in supporting this school, and for those of us already on board, here is a portrait of one student from earlier this year. More than a dozen years ago I was introduced to this village thanks to Humana India. This house back then was home to a school for girls, and the older girls from this village were the students. The school for girls continues to this day with privatesupport, and girls continue to attend classes daily. It's a magical space!

Para aquellos de nosotros interesados en apoyar a esta escuela, y para aquellos de nosotros que ya estamos, aquí hay un retrato de una estudiante de principios de este año. Hace más de una docena de años, me presentaron a este pueblo gracias a Humana India. Esta casa en ese entonces era el hogar de una escuela para niñas, y las niñas mayores eran las estudiantes. La escuela para niñas continúa hasta el día de hoy con apoyo privado, y las niñas continúan asistiendo a clases diariamente. ¡Es un espacio mágico!

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Fabric + Young Students, Rajasthan + Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019

These are the fabrics Radhika purchased for her students this past weekend. She will go ahead and purchase some fancier designs this weekend as well. For those of us interested in supporting her school, let's come together and support her initiative. These young girls attend an Islamic school in their village because the families have little faith in the government school. The headmaster of the school is trying to expand his educational system to include the government curriculum, and we are trying to help him by raising funds for the salaries of his teachers.

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Young Girl + Tree, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019

For those of us interested in supporting my work in India, here is a series of a student in one of the schools. She attends a school in a small village, a new school opened just this year. The headmaster did so because he felt that he could provide a better education than the existing schools in his village.

It is his own land, and he used his own money to build the school. We were so impressed with his sacrifices that, after speaking with the other headmasters, we decided to pay for the school to be finished. Our wonderful friend Tasavvar Gujjarbrought his incredible team to plaster and paint the school.

It's the first building one sees as one approaches the village. The color chosen is a bright green, with a brown border at the bottom. It is absolutely beautiful!

So here she stands in front of the tree in the courtyard. My friends assumed that I wanted her to raise her head and asked her to do so. Immediately I asked them to leave her alone. She remained so calm, and slowly raised her head frame after frame.

She really does love to be photographed, just loves to do so in her own way. When she is in class and I look her way, every single time she smiles, looks down slowly and turns her head to her friends. She is a lovely girl, and for her I present this work.

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Para aquellos de nosotros interesados ​​en apoyar mi trabajo en India, aquí hay una serie de un estudiante en una de las escuelas. Ella asiste a una escuela en un pequeño pueblo, una nueva escuela abrió solo este año. El director lo hizo porque sentía que podía proporcionar una mejor educación que las escuelas existentes en su pueblo.

Es su propia tierra, y utilizó su propio dinero para construir la escuela. Estábamos tan impresionados con sus sacrificios que, después de hablar con los otros directores, decidimos pagar para que terminara la escuela. Nuestro maravilloso amigo Tasavvar Gujjar llevó a su increíble equipo a enlucir y pintar la escuela.

Es el primer edificio que uno ve cuando se acerca al pueblo. El color elegido es un verde brillante, con un borde marrón en la parte inferior. ¡Es absolutamente hermoso!

Así que aquí ella está parada frente al árbol en el patio. Mis amigos asumieron que quería que ella levantara la cabeza y le pidieron que lo hiciera. Inmediatamente les pedí que la dejaran sola. Permaneció tan tranquila y lentamente levantó la cabeza cuadro tras cuadro.

A ella realmente le encanta que la fotografíen, simplemente le encanta hacerlo a su manera. Cuando está en clase y miro en su dirección, cada vez que sonríe, baja la mirada lentamente y vuelve la cabeza hacia sus amigos. Es una niña encantadora, y para ella le presento este trabajo.

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Lunchtime, Rajasthan, India, 2008

Over a dozen years ago this is how my experience began in India, with the wonderful people of Humana People to People India. They have continued doing their great work to this day and have flourished thanks to the vision of its people, and the resilience of the Indian people.

Here the team members and villagers work together to prepare the meal for the event! 

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Best Friends, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

Their portrait was made in their classroom, as the class gathered to be photographed. We have known each other since 2013 and it is my intention to find support for their school. They attend a wonderful school in a tiny village within Uttar Pradesh, and have my sincerest appreciation for allowing their portraits to be made.

All interested in supporting this work do reach out to me and we will make it happen! 

1 Girl 1 Year = $100

For those interested I will of course provide further, detailed information. This is our way to fulfill that great cliché, making a difference... hoping to turn that cliché into a reality!

Para aquellos interesados, por supuesto, proporcionaré más información detallada. Esta es nuestra manera de cumplir ese gran cliché, marcando la diferencia ... ¡esperando convertir ese cliché en una realidad! 

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Young Girl + Window, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

When I post about the schools near her village, this is the expression that is on my mind. At such a young age she is able to look straight into the camera and speak to us of her life, unfiltered and without compromise.

It should be clear to all of us that her life is hard. For those of us with children can we imagine the skin of our children looking like hers? The bruises and cracks? For the teachers in this circle, how many would embrace this student and welcome her into their warm classrooms?

This is the work that is happening in her region. Thanks to Imdadullah Nadvi Nadvi and Kari Shokeen, a new school has begun which promises to be the model school in the region. Over 100 girls have enrolled and the message has reached the adjacent and distant villages alike.

We visited her school one morning thanks to the invitation of Imdadulla's cousin, who is also the headmaster of her school. As we walked through their classrooms we were met with the most expressive faces. The looked at us with shock, for they had never been visited by outsiders.

After a few minutes the shock turned into excitement, especially after they saw the camera. When asked to be photographed they took their time to sit down calmly and arrange their scarves. Each mini-session affected me deeply, and I am indebted to each one for the privilege.

Note: This frame was made with a Hasselblad 503CW and 100 mm lens.

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Niña Pequeña + Ventana, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

Cuando publico sobre las escuelas cerca de su aldea, esta es la expresión que tengo en mente. A su corta edad, puede mirar directamente a la cámara y hablarnos de su vida, sin filtros y sin compromisos.

Debe quedar claro para todos nosotros que su vida es dura. Para aquellos de nosotros con hijos, ¿podemos imaginarnos la piel de nuestros hijos como la de ella? ¿Los moretones y las grietas? Para los maestros en este círculo, ¿cuántos de ellos abrazarían a esta estudiante y la acogerían en sus cálidas aulas?

Este es el trabajo que está sucediendo en su región. Gracias a Imdadullah Nadvi Nadvi y Kari Shokeen, ha comenzado una nueva escuela que promete ser la escuela modelo en la región. Más de 100 niñas se han inscrito y el mensaje ha llegado a aldeas adyacentes y distantes.

Una mañana, visitamos su escuela gracias a la invitación del primo de Imdadulla, que también es el director de su escuela. Mientras caminábamos por sus aulas, nos encontramos con las caras más expresivas. Nos miraron con sorpresa, porque nunca habían sido visitados por extranjeros.

Después de unos minutos, la conmoción se convirtió en emoción, especialmente después de ver la cámara. Cuando se les pidió que los fotografiaran, se tomaron su tiempo para sentarse con calma y arreglar su ropa. Cada mini-sesión me afectó profundamente y estoy en deuda con cada uno por el privilegio. 

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 503CW/100 mm combination.

Three Girls, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

In three weeks I'll be heading to this very spot to document the good work being accomplished. According to our dear brother Imdadullah Nadvi Nadvi the students are sincerely happy and the school is coming along beautifully. Over 100 girls are attending now, and the sewing centers are thriving.

All interested in supporting this school do reach out to me and we will make it happen!

1 Girl 1 Year = $100

For those interested I will of course provide further, detailed information. This is our way to fulfill that great cliché, making a difference... hoping to turn that cliché into a reality!

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Para aquellos interesados, por supuesto, proporcionaré más información detallada. Esta es nuestra manera de cumplir ese gran cliché, marcando la diferencia ... ¡esperando convertir ese cliché en una realidad!

Girl + Kajal, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

Whenever, and I mean whenever she is asked to step forward for her photograph she steps up without hesitation. She has the most different way of speaking, and is in perfect harmony with the camera. She understands my need to photograph her perfectly... and on this day came with kajal around her eyes for this incredible portrait.

Every once in a while doubt regarding the work comes up... whether that arises from the field, from the foundation or from the difficulties in raising funds. Each and every time there is a sense of doubt my memories of her eases my anxiety. She is without a doubt the inspiration for this collaboration and pushes me always to do more.

How could anyone let her and her friends down?

She lives in a tiny village within the district of Shamli. Her and her siblings have always attended religious classes in Kari Shokeen's madrasa. For the past year she has also received the general curriculum thanks to the new school, and attended sewing class in the afternoon.

Kari Shokeen and Imdadulla Nadvi have succeeded in transforming the religious school into an incredible space for learning. The rooftop of the school now has two beautiful classrooms, with a private bathroom. The wall was extended so as to give the girls privacy, while the teaching staff is all-female.

I love watching her in class under such circumstances. She and her friends have my support always, and I am grateful for those of us who have been generous enough to support this humble cause.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 503 CW/100 mm combination.

Mother + Daughter, Rama, Nicaragua, December of 2017

45 years after we lost our home to an earthquake I returned to my birthplace of Nicaragua. The experience of walking in the footsteps of my parents cannot be described fully, for my mind still needs to process the events of last December.

One thing is for sure, the people of Nicaragua treated me like a prince, like one of their own. Thanks to my cousins Victor and Carlos, it felt just like home. Their homes were my homes, their hospitality was as generous as any in my travels. Certainly this was a reflection of our culture, of their respect for my parents... but it was so much more, and I may begin to understand more so when we meet once again this December.

Then there were those we met on the road, such as this family on our way to the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. We never did reach the coast, but this neighborhood of Rama was as perfect as we could have imagined. The people were so generous with their kindness, and allowed us to have a morning session which resulted in this portrait.

These beautiful people work hard day in and day out, and their lives are anything but easy. Their entire neighborhood was built on the outskirts of the town without planning nor distribution of basic services from the municipal government. Yet they endure and do their best for the sake of their children.

I look forward to returning in December and going deeper into my family's history, as well as the relationships formed during my first visit in over 4 decades.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 503 CW/100 mm C lens combination.

Sewing Centers by Nirvanavan Foundation, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

As Nirvanavan Foundation moves forward with the school in the Shamli District of Uttar Pradesh. An interfaith effort is gaining strength, and the first two sewing centers have just opened along with the initial stages of the school!

Carolina + The Stylings of Lunara, El Mirage, California, 2016

A little over a year ago it was my honor to document the creations of Lunara Love, as presented by the most talented Carolina. We met at the apartment first, where the team was getting the pieces ready for our session. We packed everything up and started the two hour drive to the dry lake bed.

The sky was a little hazy, but allowed the sun to shine for extended periods. This gave the team enough time to change, while keeping in mind the sun for the photography. Unlike other sessions earlier in the week, the wind allowed us to work without worry.

We exposed less film than usual because the changes were extensive. This however allowed us to concentrate on the presentations more so and was a needed change for me. The excitement was in the air and carried us back to Los Angeles energized.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M

Xtina + Woods, Cleveland, Ohio, 2017

In a few hours we will have our second session in as many weeks, and nothing can please me more. Christina has collaborated with me ever since our days in her classroom, as funds were being raised for schools in India. She has always been exceptional, truly a creative spirit.

She has since become a serious photographer, staying faithful to 35mm film, and documents daily life in her most sublime way. It is an honor to photograph Christina, for she understands the vision of a photographer, being one herself.

This image was made when we walked out of the woods, as the sun was on its way to falling behind the line of trees. She turned to the camera and allowed the shutter to be released. Amazing.

Today we drive out to the lake, and hope to find a spot suitable for our session!

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

Students + Bench, Nirvanavan Foundation, Rajasthan, India, 2017

These are the smiles of the students in one of two schools guided by Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation. For those of us involved in these schools, we share this snapshot from one afternoon in the village. Since 2006 I have visited this very village, and will continue to visit as long as I am able to do so. With the generosity of this incredible circle, the school and these smiles will flourish!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Teacher + Hidden Mother, Rajasthan, India, 2009

Tonight I would like to honor our teachers, and the hard work they put in day in and day out in the classrooms for the sake of our children. This young woman has always inspired me deeply, as she was the youngest of the teachers in Humana India's development program in her region. 

Looking back now, she must have been barely sixteen when she began... and turned into one of the most dedicated in my experience. Her family is my family in Rajasthan, and they treat me like a son every time we visit. We have lunch when we are in their home, which doubles as the classroom for one of Nirvanavan Foundation's schools in the region. I normally lose count of the cups of tea served during our stay, but the number is usually no less than 3!

For those who are supporting the two schools in Rajasthan, she had been the leader in her village for the past ten years... having been married last year and handing off the baton to her younger sister. She always has a smile on her face, and when it is grand it lights the entire village.

When people disagree with the work, she stands up for her students without exception. Her parents are incredibly supportive, and her father is as peaceful of a man as I have ever seen. He receives respect without demanding it. Her mother stands behind her daughter and her work, as she does in this portrait with the fabric in her hands.

In her honor we continue with her school, and hope that one day all the girls in her village will follow her path. 

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Note: This image was made with a Canon G10.

Two Cousins & Me, Rajasthan, India, 2016

In this snapshot two cousins sit to each side, representing the two families known to me for the past ten years. Two brothers are married to two sisters, and the daughters outnumber the boys by 8 to 2!

The mother from one family is the teacher of Nirvanavan Foundation's school, while the daughter from the other (seated to my right in this image) is the sewing instructor.

We made this at the end of our photography sessions, when the young women went inside and changed to formal outfits. They love color photographs, and really wanted to be photographed in their best!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Student + Humana India, Madhya Pradesh, India, 2016

Can we imagine how difficult this young girl's life truly is? 

The region in which she lives is the most beautiful from my travels in India… but also one of the most extreme in which to live. Hundreds of meters separate the homes, and the only way to make a living is from the land itself.

Is it possible for us to understand her life even for only one day?

Some of the children in her community will walk over a mile just to make it to class, some well over two miles. Yet they do so day in and day out. The darker portion of the wall behind her also happens to be the chalkboard of her classroom.

How can we measure the courage it took for her to stand in front of strangers for her portrait?

While the children are almost without exception happy to be involved in something so different for them, it still takes a heck of a lot to stand in front of the entire class and be photographed so honestly. She and her friends were on my mind when I presented in front of my high school in Cleveland and my colleagues in Los Angeles two weeks ago. If she could do so with such calm and strength, I had little excuse to do otherwise.

This young student inspires me immensely, and helps this work to go forward. The hope is that the number of schools will triple over the next three years, and that more like her will have the chance to attend classes for the first time in their young lives.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.