Showing posts with label Girl Power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Girl Power. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2023

Young Girl, Banjara Community, Rajasthan, India


Between 2006 and 2010, this tribe was photographed in collaboration with the good people of Humana People to People India. In the beginning, this specific tribe was associated with a foundation school near Behror, Rajasthan. They then move further away in order to remove themselves from the urban chaos and in search of their more traditional way of life.

This resulted in their children losing access to the foundation's school, one in which they are enrolled for about three hours per day, outside of their daily chores and work duties. While outside of class, these children collect plastic and so forth in order to sell in bulk later. They also approach certain people for donations in the streets.

As noted in Wikipedia, 'women are known to wear colorful and beautiful costumes and have tattoos on their hands.The dress is considered fancy and attractive by Western cultures. They use mirror chips and often coins to decorate it. Women put on thick bangles on their arms Their ornaments are made up of silver rings, coins,chain and hair pleat are tied together at the end by Chotla.'

Note: canvas print 36” x 36”

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Mentally + Physically Challenged, Kisumu, Kenya, 2007



Over 16 years ago it was my privilege to visit this region and photography two homes for mentally and physically challenged individuals.  I was deeply moved by the dedication of the staff and the resilience of the occupants. The young girl in the background of this image was a force of nature herself, as she went back and forth between friends in order to help them with their portraits. She was the first person I met with Down's Syndrome thru my photography and will never be forgotten.

Monday, December 26, 2022

Young Girl + Family Kitchen, Humana People to People, Rajasthan, India

In this village my collaboration with @humanaindia began in 2006, and the photography continues to the present. For this portrait we walked around the village with the teacher and visited the homes of the students. These experiences have enriched my life more than words can express. The girls just loved to role pay, and this young girl stood for her portrait in the family's open kitchen as the light came through the doorway.

Young Girl + House, Crimea, Cuba, 2015


Driving into the Cuban countryside is a privilege, both because few can do so and also because of the people we meet. We arrived at this spot by happenstance, as we turned left off of the main road to venture. We met a man at a fruit stand and purchased a few items, all the while having a conversation and making his portrait. He told us of his village and invited us to visit. We decided to go and, long story short, ended up photographing this young girl's neighborhood. I'm grateful for her time, and the warmth that her family showed us during our times there. It's been many years since 2015 and I look forward to the possibility of visiting them once again in 2023.

Etsy 

Sunday, December 25, 2022

6 Girls + 9 Frames, Uttar Pradesh, India


I can’t imagine taking only monochrome film with me to India and am grateful to have taken the chance years ago… the colors of the shawls and faces in Uttar Pradesh!

Ballerina + Freeway Exit, Bauta, Cuba, 2015


I sincerely miss the days when we'd get in Alejandro's car and pick up the family well before sunrise, arriving at this spot a bit before sunrise. The dedication of the families impresses me to this day. Their admiration for the work and their affection for their children are something to behold truly. This young girl lives in a small town near the capital but is now attending the national school of ballet in the city. Even back then her talent was clearly visible.


Wednesday, November 30, 2022

School Children + Classroom, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019


This is what happens when the digital camera comes out. The girls get even more adventurous and call me over while the men are having tea. I’m blessed to have film portraits of all these girls, and some digital images as a reminder of our times together. Their school is one of the schools with which we will be collaborating in 2023. Their headmaster is interested in providing a fuller education to these young girls, who don't attend the government school in this very conservative community.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Proof of Friends, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018


I can’t imagine taking only monochrome film with me to India and am grateful to have taken the chance years ago… the colors of the shawls and faces in Uttar Pradesh. These two girls live in the village which hosts me during my time in that state. From this village we travel in the mornings to various madrasas in order to make portraits of their students. Every once in a while we stay in the village and make portraits of the children in the village. To know that these students live within a few blocks of where my host family lives is a remarkable feeling. Seeing them walking by as we sit at the house in the middle of the day is even more amazing.

Monday, November 21, 2022

Day Laborers + Government Project, Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, 2020


I can’t imagine taking only monochrome film with me to India and am grateful to have taken the chance years ago and especially during last year’s quarantine in Rajasthan!

Thank you Nami Gujjar!

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Students next to Classroom, Kisumu, Kenya, 2007


Fourteen 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. 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. 

Young Syrian + Headdress, Outside of Zahle, Lebanon


Looking back at my early years with the Syrian children living in Lebanon. Back then they lived in Lebanon in order to find work, to better support their families.

I remember her very well. While we waited for softer light, she insisted on being photographed right then and there. Her reason was that she needed to go home. All of a sudden all the girls wanted to be photographed right then. She had a great attitude and did her best with the sunlight!

Friday, November 11, 2022

Young Student + Classroom, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018


Each and every Muslim girl in these portraits lives in a world which works against them. Even before they’re born most families wish for boys. Even photographing them is a tribulation, as seen by the agitation on the men’s faces. I just wish it was different, and we are working with the local community in this effort. In 2023 we are looking forward to a collaboration with 10 madrasas to improve the educational system for girls, and to hopefully promote change from the inside.

Cami + Wind, El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, California, 2019


This image reminds me of a windy session at El Mirage with @camimccullough years ago. It was so windy that we couldn't hear each other speak, and had to watch out for any items we put aside. She was as professional as anyone could have been, dealing with the wind and including it in her movements. Since then we have collaborated again and at the same place, reliving that session and making new memories.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Young Banjara, Rajasthan, India, 2010


Another memory from over a dozen years ago... and proof!

This is her second portrait in as many years. The first time we met was during my first visit to India, during a special day arranged by Humana People to People India. On this day many activities were under way, including one contest between women walking very fast with containers balanced on their heads.

My first portrait of this young girl was made behind the main tent, with white fabric from the tent serving as the backdrop. This portrait was made the following year at her school, a basic open classroom on the roof of a building donated to the foundation. While she was absent when we first arrived, she showed up later because she heard that we were there to photograph her once again.

A previous entry described this incredible day; suffice it to put down at this moment that over ten dozen images were made of her, ranging from two clips in the hair to one clip to a roll or so without either clip.

The year following this portrait my documentation of her continued, this time in a village a bit distant from the school. By this time, she and her community had moved out of the town to a more remote location. The children had stopped attending the foundation's school and she was working as a house maid as well as tending to the family's livestock.

Two years after the portrait above our collaboration ended. Although we found her once again after asking around, by this time she had become so shy, so conscious of herself, that she refrained from even stepping out of the tent to exchange greetings. The younger girls were making fun of her, even teasing her about the attention she was receiving from this stranger.

So we of course respected her wishes and photographed the younger girls. One day they too will refrain from being photographed. Until that time however we will return.


Sunday, July 17, 2022

Girls in the Classroom, Shamli District, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018


This is what happens when the digital camera comes out. The girls start to run around, pick friends and get creative. We use available light and sit still while the students direct the photography!

Monday, March 28, 2022

Anays + House, El Campo, Cuba, 2018


Just looking at this negative reminds me of that wonderful morning in the countryside of Cuba, with the talented Anays Diz Pe. We have collaborated ever since I met her walking the streets of the island, back in 2008. She is now in serious demand as a dancer, a model and an artist in general. For this frame we drove around the countryside looking for places. We saw this house to the right and stopped to ask the family for permission. A sweet woman opened the door and was surprised to see us, agreeing immediately to our request.

Anays was of course ready like always, listened to my requests and performed as she desired for 12 frames. Then we changed to another film back and made another dozen frames before thanking the family, and moving onto our next location. These are the experiences that I miss, and hope to have in 2023.

 

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Sewing Class, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019


Last year was like another world, and I hope that this community is safe during these difficult days. Soon we hope that the centers can reopen and that they can make more beautiful clothing for their families and learn a valuable trade at the same time. We hope to reopen the sewing centers in 2022, and also incorporate the government education system within the traditional madrasas as per the community. All interested in helping with this project are more than welcome to contact me as per the links below.

9 Frames + Students, Kisumu, Kenya, 2007


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. 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. 

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Young Student + Madrasa, Uttar Pradesh, India, 201


I really do miss this girl and her friends, and have the highest respect for their courage in the midst of indifference and intolerance. Their village is their world, and more exactly their home is their world. Unless they are attending school, they are almost always within the confines of their homes. School is a refuge for them, a place where they may learn and where they can be themselves among friends.

They’re fully aware of the hardships facing them and yet they persevere and endure through it all. In this classroom they could be themselves and act out their creative thoughts. It’s been an honor to be at their side all of these years.

This village specifically, and this very school, are dear to me. The school itself is very small, has perhaps 24 girls and 20 boys. This is the scenery just behind the school, and all around it as well. The children are so curious and deserve our best in order to help improve their circumstances. We hope to do better in 2022.

Sunday, December 26, 2021

Dancers + Freeway Exit, Bauta, Cuba, 2015


Going back to 2015 with the creative Érica in the countryside, here is a darkroom print from this past week. Behind the image is the dedication of these young girls and their families, ready to go at 5:30 in the morning without question. It’s such an honor to have these images, and the experiences are beyond priceless!