Xtina + Water, Cleveland, Ohio, 2017

This past year took me to far away places in search of the most exquisite while, at the same time, teaching me that beautiful souls exist in my own neighborhood. It was my honor to have been included in this young woman's life for the past seven years, and even more so to be given the opportunity to document her story more so this past year.

We had wanted a session in the water but lacked time in our first session. So the second time we met we did so much earlier and headed out to Lake Erie in search of a good spot. We did fine one and headed to the water with excitement. While there were more people than normal for me for a session, it was as if we were in our own, magical world.

We began outside of the water and exposed a couple of rolls. Then we found the courage to head into the cool water while the clouds began rolling in. Fortunately we were given a few moments when the sun found its way through the clouds and illuminated Xtina's sublime features and in these moments the shutter was released.

She was of course a natural, as we have collaborated more than several times for the past seven years. She moved between expressions with ease, and presented her expressions in a seemingly effortless manner.

My hope is that we get another chance this year to do even better!

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Note: This image was made with a Fuji GA645 film camera.

Xtina + Lake, Cleveland, Ohio, 2017

This past weekend was my second weekend in as many weeks with Xtina, and we have continued to build on what had come before photographically. Being a film photographer as well, she comes to the table with an incredible vision, and many beautiful questions as well. 

She understands my work fully, and knows that she has been a sister to those in my work since we first collaborated years ago. The girls in India, Lebanon and Cuba have seen her portrait... and she has seen theirs as well. It is a sincere honor for me to be her photographer.

On this afternoon we decided to drive to the beach and find a spot. We tried a private beach at first, only to be turned around by the security guard. We then drove to the public beach, and were glad to be there. It was a bit cold, but Xtina was more than brave enough to enter.

We first made photographs of her hands with various objects, from a crystal to stones to a camera. So many people looked, and more than a few connected with us as this was unfolding. Xtina then stepped right into the water, and we photographed first from a distance and then together in the water. The sun was kind to us for some time, then it was blocked by the clouds which rolled in.

Nonetheless we exposed more than a few medium-format rolls, and I for one cannot wait to have them processed in a few weeks. A few weeks because the trip to DC will be made to pick up my Cuban film from the summer, and this is the only lab trusted enough to process my collaboration with Xtina. I cannot wait!

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Note: These images were made with a Sony RX100M3, mounted adjacent to a Hasselblad V system.

Xtina + Forest, Last Weekend, Ohio, 2017

We met through her sublime teacher Anna, when we were raising funds for Nirvana and the schools in Rajasthan. One day the entire class visited the Cleveland Museum of Art and asked me to come along. It was an honor of course, and a treat. During our visit one fresh face come along, fresh because she was absent when we photographed the class on my previous visit.

She had a way about her, and my reaction told Anna that we needed to set up a session just for her. So we did soon after that museum trip. She was truly a natural, years ahead of her age at that time. Xtina has since become an accomplished photographer herself, dedicating herself to the medium of film as well.

While there are countless remarkable features about Xtina, one which has impressed me deeply is her continued communication with me. We have maintained contact ever since those first days, and such contact culminated in our collaboration just this past weekend. Walking through the forest with such a creative, open mind inspired me even more so. While we only had an hour or so to create, the few rolls which were exposed will hopefully yield images such as this digital sample.

She is a sister to the girls in my work from Cuba, India, Lebanon and beyond... and truly understands their lives, their dreams. Xtina and her family do more than hope, they act on behalf of the girls in India... and for such they have my sincerest gratitude.

My hope is that the weather gives us a chance to do this again, and within the next few weeks!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.