3 Children + 9 Frames, Dakar, Senegal, 2006

The contrasts in the streets of Dakar gave me pause. Without exception the children were sweet and curious. Since I am without children of my own, I imagined how my friends with children would feel seeing children with tattered clothes, facial scars and a layer of dirt/dust on their precious skin. To this day I wonder how these children fared in life, and hope that they survived their childhood. 

Etsy 

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Karla Pozo + EGOS, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Esta fue una de esas grandes tardes con Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega y sus alumnos de EGOS. Acabábamos de terminar nuestra fotografía digital cuando llegamos a esta esquina. Acababa de llover y la luz era hermosa. Los estudiantes habían caminado toda la tarde y dos tuvieron la amabilidad de dejarme fotografiarlas aquí.

Una de las dos modelos fue Karla, alguien que me ha permitido fotografiarla muchas veces antes de esta tarde. Como habíamos colaborado antes, sabía qué hacer sin instrucción. Fue una pose magnífica, ¡y estoy muy contento de tener la luz!

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Karen y Laura, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Hace dos veranos, mi querida amiga Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega me concedió el privilegio de colaborar con algunos de sus alumnos de su escuela ModaEgos, entre ellas Karen Machado Vazquez y Laura Rivalta que aparecen en esta imagen. Este museo se convirtió en uno de mis lugares favoritos para nuestras sesiones, y muchos de mis amigos cubanos lo reconocerán el verano pasado.

Este verano espero ver más espacios y volver a visitar a muchos de ustedes en Cuba. También espero incluir más el mundo del baile en mis imágenes ... ¡las modelos y los bailarines son bienvenidos!

Two summers ago, my dear friend Gysleda allowed me the privilege of collaborating with some of her students from her school ModaEgos, including Karen and Laura featured in this image. This museum became one of my favorite places for our sessions, and many of my Cuban friends will recognize it from last summer.

This summer I look forward to more spaces, and to revisiting many of you in Cuba. I also look forward to including the world of dance more so in my images... models and dancers welcome! 

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Un Poco de Color Con Anyel, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Justo antes de irme a la India, mi querido amigo David me envió tres rollos, tres rollos de mi tiempo en Cuba el verano pasado. Uno de los rollos era un rollo de color de mi último día, e incluía mi tiempo con Anyel y Anays. Aquí está para tus ojos Anyel, un escaneo inicial solo para tu revisión ... disfrute y sepa que crearemos más arte esté verano.

Just before I went to Lebanon, my dear friend David sent me three rolls, three rolls of my time in Cuba last summer. One of the rolls was a color roll from my last day, and it included my time with Anyel and Anays. Here it is for your eyes Anyel, an initial scan only for your review ... enjoy and know that we will create more art this summer.

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12 Frames + Four Dancers, Havana, Cuba, 2018

On that glorious morning we walked the streets of the city and ended up in front of the museum. They walked over to the National School of Ballet to change and came back after having a snack as well. The sun was high but yet they had the courage to continue. Cars passed between us as they were across the street from my camera. We could barely hear reach other and used hand signs to coordinate. It's a great memory of a priceless time for me. 

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Man from the Countryside, La Habana, Cuba, 2010

The magic of walking the streets of the city is finding such a person, and of being able to record his story. One day while walking the streets of Havana we came across him sitting in front of a door. He explained to us that he was from the countryside and was only visiting his daughter. We asked to make his photograph and he agreed immediately. He wondered what to do, but regardless did perfectly.

La magia de caminar por las calles de la ciudad es encontrar a esa persona y poder grabar su historia. Un día, mientras caminaba por las calles de La Habana, lo encontramos sentado frente de una puerta. Nos explicó que era del campo y que solo estaba visitando a su hija. Le pedimos que hiciera su fotografía y él accedió de inmediato. Se preguntó qué hacer, pero independientemente lo hizo perfectamente. 

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Note: This series was made with a Hasselblad V system.

Dos Bailarines + Plaza, La Habana Vieja, Cuba, 2018

Mucha gente me pregunta, '¿por qué Cuba es especial para tu fotografía?' Para mí la respuesta es simple, es la voluntad de la gente para crear sin dudar. Si bien esto parece un poco simplista, uno debe intentar hacerlo en cualquier parte del mundo antes de pensar así.

En esta imagen hay dos personas que eran una semana antes desconocidas para mí. Estábamos haciendo un video para ayudar a Anays y su compañía, y antes de pasar a la siguiente plaza, les pedí a algunos de los bailarines algunos momentos de fotografía. Sin lugar a dudas, se hicieron una docena de exposiciones ... y esta fue una.

Me encanta cada lugar que visito y comparto una razón solo para mis visitas a Cuba. ¡Son las personas, más que los edificios o las playas, quienes continúan inspirándome!

Nota: esta imagen es solo un escaneo aproximado ... ¡los escaneados más finos se compartirán pronto!

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Many people ask me, 'why is Cuba special to your photography?' For me the answer is simple, it is the willingness of the people to create without hesitation. While this seems a bit simplistic, one should try to do so anywhere in the world before thinking so.

In this image are two people who were but a week earlier strangers to me. We were making a video in order to help Anays and her company, and before moving to the next square I asked a few of the dancers for a few moments of photography. Without a second's doubt a dozen exposures were made... with this being one.

I love every place I visit, and am sharing one reason only for my visits to Cuba. It is the people, rather than the buildings or the beaches, who continue to inspire me!

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Note: this image is only a rough scan... the finer scans will be shared soon!

Anays Diz Pe + Transformación, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Las imágenes de las últimas dos semanas de escaneos me han impresionado sinceramente, principalmente por la gente en esta fotografía. Me siento honrado de contar con esta colaboración y espero que las imágenes honren a mis amigos y familiares en Cuba.

Anays quería imitar a un niño para una sesión y organizamos una mañana durante mi última semana en la isla. Usamos este hermoso edificio, y ella se vistió como un niño. Su transformación fue increíble, aunque no pudo cubrir por completo su lado femenino más hermoso.

Es un honor para mí presentar un ejemplo de nuestra sesión y espero que esté contenta con el resultado.

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The images from this past two week's of scans have impressed me sincerely, mainly because of the people in this photography. I am honored to be trusted with this collaboration, and hope that the images honor my friends and family in Cuba.

Anays wanted to mimmick a boy for a session and we arranged a morning during my last week on the island. We used this beautiful building, and she dressed herself like a boy. Her transformation was incredible, even though she was unable to fully cover her most beautiful feminine side.

It is my honor to present an example from our session, and hope that she is content with the result.

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

Mango Habana + La Noche, Habana, Cuba, 2018

El verano pasado por la noche caminé por las calles, buscando luz en las calles. Fue una experiencia increíble, más fácil que fotografiar los edificios durante días.

Esta isla siempre me ha enseñado valiosas lecciones, las familias me han tratado bien, como un hermano y un hijo. La paciencia ha sido una lección que me ha permitido ver mi trabajo de unamanera diferente.

La paciencia del verano pasado me permitió pasar menos tiempo detrás de la cámara y más tiempo con mis amigos. Tomar un descanso para descansar durante el día me permitió caminar por la noche, viendo la ciudad sin luces y sin turistas.

Algo sobre la noche hizo que mis conversaciones con la gente de esta ciudad fueran muy diferentes. Las conversaciones fueron más relajadas, sin el intercambio habitual entre turista y habitante. Las imágenes tienen una sensación diferente, y me alegro de haber aprovechado la oportunidad para hacer imágenes por la noche.

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Last summer I walked the streets at night, looking for light in the streets. It was an incredible experience, easier than photographing the buildings during the days.

This island has always taught me valuable lessons, the families have treated me well, like a brother and son. Patience has been one lesson, which has allowed me to look at my work in a different way.

This past summer patience allowed me to spend less time behind the camera and more time with my friends. Taking a break to rest during the day allowed me to walk around at night, seeing the city without lights and without tourists.

Something about the night made my conversations with the people of this city much different. The conversations were more relaxed, without the usual exchange between tourist and inhabitant. The images have a different sensation, and I am glad to have taken the chance to make images at nighttime.

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

Nathalie + Spanish Embassy, Havana, Cuba, 2018

Aquí estoy junto a los rollos procesados de este verano en Cuba. ¡Con solo haber visto todos los rollos, a mi mente le costará mucho asentirse esta noche! Las imágenes son más de lo que podría haber pedido realmente. En esta imagen, Nathalie actúa frente a la embajada española en La Habana, Cuba.

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Boys Will Be Boys, Kisumu, Kenya, 2006

A dozen years ago I was privileged to have access to a beautiful community in western Kenya, thanks to a foundation named MACODEF. We went from village to village, from school to school, in search of incredible people and stories. Here is another image from that impromptu session, with one of the boys being a boy!

This school was on the outskirts of Kisumu, and we walked just to the side to make portraits of the entire student body. Some children had shoes and some lacked, while almost all of the children were wearing the only uniform that they possessed. The foundation is doing remarkable work given the conditions, and I applaud their efforts sincerely. Note: Image was made with a Nikon F100 camera.

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Note: Image was made with a Nikon F100 camera.

A Little Color With Anyel, Havana, Cuba, 2018

Esta misma noche, Anyel publicó un recuerdo de años atrás, mostrándome cuánto recordaba nuestro pasado. A ella realmente le encanta crear imágenes memorables, y tiene un talento increíble delante de la lente.

Justo antes de irme al Líbano, mi querido amigo David me envió tres rollos, tres rollos de mi tiempo en Cuba el verano pasado. Uno de los rollos era un rollo de color de mi último día, e incluía mi tiempo con Anyel y Anays. Aquí está para tus ojos Anyel, un escaneo inicial solo para tu revisión ... disfrute y sepa que crearemos más arte el próximo verano. ¡En unas pocas semanas el resto de la película estará listo para compartir con ustedes!

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This same night, Anyel published a memory from years ago, showing me how much she remembered our past. She really loves creating memorable images, and she has incredible talent in front of the lens.

Just before I went to Lebanon, my dear friend David sent me three rolls, three rolls of my time in Cuba last summer. One of the rolls was a color roll from my last day, and it included my time with Anyel and Anays. Here it is for your eyes Anyel, an initial scan only for your review ... enjoy and know that we will create more art next summer. In a few weeks the rest of the film will be ready to share with you!

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Note: This frame was exposed with a Hasselblad 503 CW/100 mm C lens.

Tres, Centro Habana, Cuba, 2018

Estas son las imágenes para mostrar cuando alguien me hace esta pregunta: ¿por qué sigues volviendo a Cuba?

Aquí hay tres personas que estaban más que ocupadas con sus vidas, pero se pusieron a disposición para una colaboración espontánea. Se reunieron mucho antes del amanecer para que pudiéramos tener la oportunidad de fotografiar con la luz del sol.

Intercambiamos mensajes el día anterior y recogimos a todos mientras todavía estaba oscuro por la mañana. Condujimos a este hermoso edificio y montamos las cámaras mientras los bailarines estiraban sus músculos. La belleza de fotografiar bailarines es que se necesita hablar poco y casi todo se hace en silencio.

La humildad que me demostraron debe ser compartida. Todos ellos tienen una posición increíble en la comunidad de baile, pero se acercaron a la sesión con tanta inocencia. Compartieron su admiración por los fotografiados en mi trabajo, y les encantó la idea de que fueran hermanos y hermanas para ellos. ¡Realmente lo son!

El próximo verano en Cuba promete ser una revelación, desde el tema hasta la forma de fotografía. Estas hermosas personas serán las primeras en ser contactadas, así como también todos sus amigos del mundo de la danza. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!

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These are the images to show when someone asks me this question: why do you keep going back to Cuba?

Here are three people who were more than busy with their lives, yet made themselves available for a spontaneous collaboration. They came together well before sunrise so that we would have the chance to photograph with the rising sunlight.

We exchanged messages the day before, and picked everyone up while it was still dark in the morning. We drove out to this beautiful building and set the cameras up while the dancers stretched their muscles. The beauty of photographing dancers is that little needs to be spoken, and everything is done in silence almost.

The humility that they demonstrated to me needs to be shared. All of them have incredible standing in the dance community, yet approached the session with such innocence. They shared their admiration for those photographed in my work, and loved the idea that they were brothers and sisters to them. They truly are!

Next summer in Cuba promises to be a revelation, from the subject matter to the manner of photography. These beautiful people will be the first to be approached, as well as all of their friends from the dance world. All are welcome!

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Note: This image was made with a Fuji X-T2.

Tres, Centro Habana, Cuba, 2018

Estas son las imágenes para mostrar cuando alguien me hace esta pregunta: ¿por qué sigues volviendo a Cuba?

Aquí hay tres personas que estaban más que ocupadas con sus vidas, pero se pusieron a disposición para una colaboración espontánea. Se reunieron mucho antes del amanecer para que pudiéramos tener la oportunidad de fotografiar con la luz del sol.

Intercambiamos mensajes el día anterior y recogimos a todos mientras todavía estaba oscuro por la mañana. Condujimos a este hermoso edificio y montamos las cámaras mientras los bailarines estiraban sus músculos. La belleza de fotografiar bailarines es que se necesita hablar poco y casi todo se hace en silencio.

La humildad que me demostraron debe ser compartida. Todos ellos tienen una posición increíble en la comunidad de baile, pero se acercaron a la sesión con tanta inocencia. Compartieron su admiración por los fotografiados en mi trabajo, y les encantó la idea de que fueran hermanos y hermanas para ellos. ¡Realmente lo son!

El próximo verano en Cuba promete ser una revelación, desde el tema hasta la forma de fotografía. Estas hermosas personas serán las primeras en ser contactadas, así como también todos sus amigos del mundo de la danza. ¡Todos son bienvenidos!

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These are the images to show when someone asks me this question: why do you keep going back to Cuba?

Here are three people who were more than busy with their lives, yet made themselves available for a spontaneous collaboration. They came together well before sunrise so that we would have the chance to photograph with the rising sunlight.

We exchanged messages the day before, and picked everyone up while it was still dark in the morning. We drove out to this beautiful building and set the cameras up while the dancers stretched their muscles. The beauty of photographing dancers is that little needs to be spoken, and everything is done in silence almost.

The humility that they demonstrated to me needs to be shared. All of them have incredible standing in the dance community, yet approached the session with such innocence. They shared their admiration for those photographed in my work, and loved the idea that they were brothers and sisters to them. They truly are!

Next summer in Cuba promises to be a revelation, from the subject matter to the manner of photography. These beautiful people will be the first to be approached, as well as all of their friends from the dance world. All are welcome!

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Note: This image was made with a Fuji X-T2.

Three Friends + Rooftop, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017

At times when it seems this work will fall short, my mind drifts far away to this village and thinks of these students. They are and have always been the inspiration behind the work. It is for them that so many of you have come together, and it is for them that Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation move forward in this region.

These are the younger students from the village, yet have had almost four years of experience with the photography. Earlier this year we discovered photography in this room and my work was reborn. They have given so much to me, and thanks to all of you the work is going to give back so much to them.

As in the previous posts, I am honored to notify all of you that 50% of the funding is on its way and the remaining 50% has already been raised.

Congratulations to all of you, to all of the girls in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Model + Shadow, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2017

This year promises to be an incredible one at EGOS, a school for models run by the magnificent Gysleda. This young man is one such example of the beauty and power on the island, and helped us produce beautiful images this past week. 

While he has exquisite attributes, it is his humility which stands on its own. He was both soft and strong, and worked so well with the other model during the session. When asked to remove his shirt, he did so without hesitation... and when asked to pour water on his beautiful hair, he also embraced the request. This image is the result of his cooperation, and spirit of course. 

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

The Designs of Yudel with Patricia, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

There is something truly special about this incredible island that continues to bring me back. While of course the cars are sublime and the music is untouchable, the people of Cuba impress me deeply for they embrace without hesitation. 

This image is such an example. It all began when we visited a modeling school seven years ago, and were welcomed on our first visit to photograph the students. Every year since then the collaboration deepened, allowing us to photograph those we wished to photograph. In addition, the two best designers in the capital have allowed us to freely use their works with the models, and to do so for as many days we wished over the past few years.

For this session we were fortunate enough to have the designs of Yudel on hand. This man is simply divine, as is his work. For the models we were photographing, he selected pieces suited for their frames and personalities. He allowed us to visit his shop, also met us at a park near his home all to make our work that much simpler.

We made this image at the end of our session, as the sun's strength increased. Patricia put the long, flowing dress on and began to dance in the rural streets of Guanabacoa. The shutter was released in line with her movements, pure magic.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

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

While this work began with the girls, the boys are certainly being included. This young student attends the madrasa daily, and will be attending the new classes as soon as they begin. Two of the five teachers have been located, with a promising lead on a third. While we are beginning in a humble manner, the vision is grand and we hope to include at least a dozen villages over the next five years.

In this portrait he is standing in one of two existing classrooms, facing the window to the rear of the room. We had just finished photographing the girls upstairs, and came downstairs to make portraits of the boys. He was the first one photographed, and was so happy to be included. His smile lights up the room, as much as the light coming through the window.

Our hosts from the region are presently in Rajasthan, witnessing the wonderful work of Nirvanavan Foundation. Yesterday they spent the day at Advaita Garden, a school which hosts over 300 students from five villages with activities ranging from 'common action' to the Rajasthani curriculum. Our hope is that this collaboration bears fruit for the sake of this beautiful boy, and all like him in his village.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Students + Madrasa, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2017

For those of us involved in this new collaboration we present their portrait. These two students attend our host's madrasa in a small village within the Shamli District of Uttar Pradesh, India. Both are new to the camera since last year, yet express with such confidence and grace.
This room has become our favorite studio in India, and countless photographs of the madrasa's students have been made here. The children are so beautiful, both in their features and how they present to the lens. We have known this village since 2013, and perhaps this has leant an air of familiarity to our visits. The children respond with a balance of the unknown and known, providing portraits with raw emotion.

They have never been photographed before, and certainly never together with such an informal setting. It is such a rare event in my experience to have such access, and to have such freedom in photographing girls from this community. This fact is not lost on me, as each portrait is made.
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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Student, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2016

Tomorrow morning, Indian time, we head to the Shamli District of Uttar Pradesh to meet our Muslim brethren and begin the work so many of you have supported. Two dozen from my FB circle, and a few from this very Google+ network, have come together, including entire classrooms of children, to help make this happen... and tomorrow we join Nirvana Bodhisattva and team in doing so!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.