Young Girl, Pan American Stadium, Havana, Cuba, Summer of 2014

This young girl, known to many of you, has been photographed in this manner since our first time together more than four years ago. Her features and her ability to express herself have always impressed me deeply, never allowing me to be any further from her in my documentation of both.

Through the school of ballet I met her, so it only seems fitting to add her to this past week's posts of images. Her sister was a ballerina in the same school from which most of my present dancers take classes. When we arrived years ago looking for her sister, it was this young girl who entered the room with her eyes as bright as the sun, and with the most incredible enthusiasm to be photographed.

This past winter she turned 15 and we will celebrate this most important of birthdays with yet another summer of photography. 

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Note: This portrait was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Fuji Neopan Acros 100 ISO film, with natural light only.

Ballerina + Stairs, Pan American Stadium, Cuba, Summer of 2013

Her hands even behind her back are perfectly symmetrical. She stands here on the steps of the Pan American Stadium, built over two decades ago for the games played in Cuba. Hundreds of athletes had once walked up these steps on their way to competition. Now the place lays dormant with only a few athletes training on a daily basis within its walls.

This is her place, this is her stage. Being here with her is deeply meaningful. Sitting here in my dark apartment I can imagine the scene. We arrive usually late afternoon to a silent stadium. The shoreline is but a hundred or so meters away from us, and the highway filled with vintage cars is the same distance away in the other direction. This is the environment in which these images have been made, and will continue to be made this summer.

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Ballerina + Hands, Pan American Stadium, Cuba, Summer of 2013

Printing for Cuba has begun tonight, this one of the most familiar figure in my work. Making informal images has opened the door to so much more, builds the excitement even more so for this summer's visit to the island.

From every angle she is perfect. From a roll of 12 flawless performances two have been posted here. The thought that she can imagine so much spontaneously and without hesitation gives me pause every time.

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Young Woman + Model, Pan American Stadium, La Habana, Cuba, Summer of 2013

She was one of the young women joining us at the Pan American Stadium from the last Cuban Post. We met her and her four friends at her professor's home, and arranged for us to go first followed by them in Alejandro's car.

The day was cloudy as mentioned previously, and Eduardo used his digital camera while I provided support through a reflector. In doing so I experienced first hand working in a supportive role, and enjoyed watching Eduardo working while trying my best to accommodate the light to his needs.

Just as we had given up the sun appeared suddenly through a slight opening in the sky. We dropped everything and picked up our film cameras, Eduardo's Rolleiflex and my Hasselblad. The young women were so professional and granted us their portraits in a very organized manner since we had less than ten minutes of sun remaining.

Five women took their turns, with this young woman being the second to go. I noticed that when she stepped in front of us Eduardo's level of interest increased. Looking more closely and from a distance now the reason is very clear. Some of the most expressive work from this afternoon she produced, and this carried through to our second session. At times she emotes deep sadness, at times a most sensual element.

All in all we took whatever light was given to us and made the best of it. The portraits however made during these ten minutes of sunlight were deeply rewarding, with this being but one example.

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Note: This image was made using natural light only with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/120 lens combination onto Kodak T-Max 400 ISO film.

Model + Pan American Stadium, La Habana, Cuba, Summer of 2013

Since Alejandro's 1954 Chevy was unable to accommodate eight of us comfortably, meaning that we wanted the young woman to be free of our less than odorless presence for the ride to the Pan American Stadium, Alejandro dropped us off first and then went back for the models. La Maestra prepared them beautifully and of course came along to guide them further during the photography.

Unfortunately the clouds joined us and we ended up mostly using the digital platform initially. Then just as we thought the sun had set for the evening, a sliver of sky opened up and we dispatched with the digital cameras and picked up our film. Eduardo picked up his trusty Rolleiflex and I my Hasselblad and we went to work.

We had four young women in our presence and asked each to step in front of the white wall for a minute or so before the sun disappeared. Each gave us a dozen exposures and then allowed the others to do the same.

This young woman was less than seventeen years old and stood well above all of us. She had a way about her, and knew just how to bend her neck to support her head effortlessly. She dreamt of being a model and was doing quite well with La Maestra. I hope that she's continued and look forward to another session at the stadium!

Model + Pan American Stadium, Havana, Cuba, July 26, 2013

We met at a modeling school in Central Havana and have since then collaborated at the stadium, on the beach and in the streets. Whenever we call she responds in a positive way, always up to the challenge. In this image she stands next to the Pan American Stadium built in 1991 for the games hosted by Cuba.

She brought with her on this day a few outfits and changed while her best friend was photographed. There is a certain quality about this young woman, her eyes are always focused on the lens in spite of the strong sun. She is completely aware of herself, right down to the how her heels contact the pavement.

There is little difference in photographing a model or a girl on the street in Cuba, for their experiences are shared. Perhaps this is the same here, but it is certainly the same on the island. Her house is as humble as many of the girls photographed on the streets. I respect her dreams and hope that our images are as wonderful as any a publication would make.

The headshot is perhaps the most intimidating image to make for the person in front of the camera. In this the young model living on the island of Cuba thrives. From a distance and up close she is in command of the images produced. Rather than looking in the direction of the lens, her eyes glance into the horizon while the sunlight from the other direction produces the contrasts shown here.

I look forward to seeing her in June, giving her these images and the others scanned tonight, while setting up our next collaboration. The next images scanned of her will be the ones from the beach.

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Dancer + Statues, Pan American Stadium, Havana, Cuba, August 17, 2013

We picked another pair of statues for this year's session at the Pan American Stadium just outside of the capital. My last morning on the island was spent with her, as was the case last year. On both occasions the sun came up without obstruction and we had all morning to ourselves. 

She is without equal in my work, and gives completely of herself every single time. The sound of the shutter is her cue to move to another position, always maintaining her concentration while atthe same time pursuing a line of creativity rarely seen in others. She is barely a teenager, and yet performs for over an hour without rest and without the need for the company of others.

This past year on the island was a difficult one for a few reasons, and she wondered as to my thoughts regarding this collaboration. My answer was quite simple: With whom have I worked the most this year, and last year? For whom have the most negatives been exposed over the past two years?

She knew the answers, smiled and listened in silence, while a sense of calm came over her. She is reason enough for my visits to the island, in this she has confidence.

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Claudia, Pan American Stadium, La Habana, Cuba, August 16, 2013

...and here Claudia is from this past July, impossibly more beautiful and deeply motivated to continue with this project. Our time together this past summer was much more limited, yet we talked more than at any time in the past. On our last afternoon together her mother and my friend sat by the car and allowed us to chat a bit while waiting for the sun.

Her usually shy demeanor gave way to a new confidence as she shared with me her happiness with the work, her desire to produce a book of her teenage years and her hope that others from around the world will learn about her story.

I plan to pursue all of the above with her in 2014 and cannot wait to see what she has in store for my camera in seven months. If this portrait is a hint of what is to come, the excitement is already too much.

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Halim Ina Photography

Anais, Dancer + Sister, Pan American Stadium, Alamar, Cuba, July 28, 2012

You give her a chance and she expresses herself! 

Once again we're at the Pan American Stadium just outside the capital, a place that has become her own. She has the ability to work alone with me and at such a tender age. She needs very little direction and works with adults four times her age without ever making us feel any different.

We started working on the other side of the stadium against the plain white wall and were taken to this side by her creativity. She saw these statues and immediately was drawn to them. She balanced herself on top of them, struck poses next to them and became part of their world.

She takes me out of my shell and puts me in a more creative environment. Five years we have collaborated and with each passing year she grows by a lifetime. I admire and love this young girl, she is without equal. 

This was my last day in Cuba in 2012 and my last rolls of film were exposed on her behalf, fitting and appropriate.

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Leandro, Pan American Stadium, Havana, Cuba, Summer of 2012

Behind the Pan American Stadium we worked early one morning to make these images, a white wall as the background. With the sun in his eyes he moved from one position to another effortlessly, having a full performance in his mind prior to our meeting. He performed a piece for the lens that had yet to be witnessed by the general public.

While doing so he had the presence of mind to slow down for the camera when a certain position was achieved, allowing me to document the performance more easily. He did so without losing flow nor concentration. I admired him during the process and even more so looking back two summers ago.


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Halim Ina Photography

A Portrait of a Model, Pan American Stadium, La Habana, Cuba, July 12, 2012

At times it is beyond the reality of the moment that she truly is barely into her teenage years. She has a presence about her that is beyond her years. Then she'll sit down and play with the gravel, smile up and show me the beauty that is youth. The range of her expressions is limitless.

She sits in front of my favorite place, the Pan American Stadium just outside of the capital. The wall behind her is our backdrop and provides the most beautiful reflective surface to outline her features. It is quite early in the morning, the sun has just risen and her mother sits on a ledge under a tree for shade a dozen or so meters behind me. We are also joined by another remarkable young woman and her mother for this morning's session.

Earlier in the week we met while attending a fashion show presented by a dear friend. We were also there to watch one of our own models walking down the hallway in front of the parents. After the show we managed to mingle with the models and their parents, gaining a session with this wonderful, young woman. Rather than placing her alone in front of the lens, we decided to include another young woman so as to allow both to rest in between their portraits.

Her mother is a most understanding woman, and prepared her daughter perfectly. The fabrics chosen were dark in color, and her jewelry timeless in design. While the sun was less than strong, her clear eyes made working in direct sunlight very difficult. She however maintained her composure and did more than most would have done for the sake of the image. When it was difficult for her to keep her eyes open, she would take in a stance like in the middle image above and blend the expression into the mood of the image.

Even though these are just a sample of our morning, I for one look forward to doing much better for her and her family this year. With her dedication and her mother's attention to detail, I feel that we will do so in July.

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Ballerina + Stairs, Pan American Stadium, La Habana, Cuba

We first met in front of her dance studio. I was waiting for a few dancers when a man on a bicycle taxi spotted me and asked about my work. One of his nieces was dancing inside and might be interested in being photographed. Earlier in the afternoon we had spoken with the parents sitting outside of the studio and some expressed interest in the project. We thought that perhaps we'd be overwhelmed but certainly welcomed his niece should she be interested.

As it turned out most of the parents walked past us without pause but his niece gave us the gift of her portrait. We photographed her and four other dancers as the sun set over the adjacent building, then took down everyone's information for a visit the following year.

When we did return one year later, we made a visit to her home. As we waited in the living room, a strange face walked into the room with excitement. Her features made me lose my concentration and I found myself studying her responses. What was she thinking? Did she want to be photographed also? Would she allow us to do so?

Before I could say anything, she smiled and nodded in approval.

The gift of her sister's portrait one year earlier yielded two incredibly gentle girls for my portraiture on the island. From this point forward the young dancer above would be accompanied by her sister and older cousin, all of whom would be photographed every single session.

In the image above she stands at the entrance of a stadium built for the Pan American Games of 1991. This has become my preferred location for its white walls, the elegant staircase and the statues on the other side. It is a most serene place and speaks of past accomplishments when life was quite different on the island. Construction of this incredible space might have had nations in mind more than two decades ago, but it now serves the people of this community for it was their sweat that contributed to its presence.

On this day the sky was cloudy, and the light diffuse. She moved from one position to another, changing her expressions accordingly. She wore her black outfits and gave two hours of her time while her friends were playing in the streets and the temperature/humidity combination was almost unbearable. Variables like these have helped me develop a deep respect for these young girls, and a dedication to their families.

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The Ballerina, Pan American Stadium, La Habana, Cuba, Afternoon of July 9, 2012

Long gone are the days when she was a passive participant in the process. She has in her collaborations last year claimed her rightful place within my work and become a profoundly creative spirit. She needs little direction and stakes her claim to the images with every pose, with every movement. Working with her is more than effortless, it rejuvenates my desire to go on with the work on the island with every click of the shutter.

Certainly I am prone to exaggeration... but in her case the paragraph above is an understatement.

Anything requested for the sake of the work she complies. She comes prepared with the help of her mother for each session, with her hair perfectly in place and her outfit neatly worn. When asked to let her hair down, she is a lioness in front of the lens. Around the Pan American Stadium she would run, looking for new places. In doing so she expanded my view and helped create a deeply moving book.

Even on this overcast day she came filled with energy. I was of course disappointed for her, but she took it upon herself to help me work with the light available. Looking back at this afternoon session, it is easy for me to feel her heart and her kindness. The mood of these images is sublime, void of shadows.

Sure, she knows the fixed positions taught to her in ballet class. She will at certain times show them to me. Then there are those times when she moves to her own beat, and lets the fabric attached to her flow with the wind just as freely.

I adore her and she is quite aware of this fact, since I have told her on numerous occasions. We have had meals together, spent endless hours at her family's home, celebrated her birthday for several years now since it happens to coincide usually with my visits in the summer. As long as she wants to be photographed I will want to photograph her.

She is without equal, very much like her sisters on the island.

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Halim Ina Photography

Monica, Daughter + Mother, Pan American Stadium, La Habana, Cuba, July 24, 2012

My friend told me about a young woman interested in being photographed and we decided to visit her at an event. She happened to be showing her modified car at a show in a suburb of the city, and we arrived in our own classic, although nobody gave us a second look. I remember feeling a bit funny when Alejandro parked his 1957 Chevy next to the pristine vehicles in the parking lot. While their cars were for show, Alejandro actually used his car as a taxi and a daily driver.

We walked up to her and introduced ourselves. She was very pleasant and introduced us to her husband as well, the owner of a well-to-do restaurant in the center of the city. It was at this time that the young woman above came over to greet us. She was a friend as well, and worked with the couple to whom we were just introduced. Her English was as perfect as her Spanish, and she was kind enough to use both to help me understand more so.

When she saw my work in the book, she was deeply touched... more so than most in my experience. She looked at each portrait with intent, continuously telling the others to see for themselves. She was impressed with the portfolio... but I was impressed with her reaction even more so. We offered to include her in our work and she jumped at the chance. We decided to meet the next day, pick them up at their respective homes, and head over to our favorite spot, the Pan American Stadium just outside of the city.

We arrived the next day near her home and waited for her on a corner. I stepped outside of the car to wait, and get an idea of her situation. She came walking down the street with a bagful of clothes. She was more than prepared, and all of her clothing was as requested by us, dark and timeless.

Our session was in the afternoon, and the sun appeared brightly for us. It was still early so we waited a little bit under the shade of a tree. The young women changed into their first pieces, and we began on the steps of the stadium. To say that Monica was a natural would be an understatement. She was a stranger the day before and now was giving of herself like a person intimately familiar with my work. She moved from one expression to another, but also paused just enough to allow me time to photograph.

She never complained about the sun, the temperature or the time needed. I worked with film and with the digital camera as well in order to give them a book of photographs later in the week. Monica would change to two more outfits by the end of our session, and allow me to make close portraits of her as well at another location perhaps 100 meters away. We worked for two hours and then headed back home, dropping Monica off at the same corner from which we found her.

Many adjectives come to mind when thinking of Monica, but the two most dominant are gentle and loving. She was drawn to the people in my portfolio and now has become one with them. I look forward to seeing her this July, and hope to further our collaboration.

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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. 

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Halim Ina Photography