Yaniuska + Columnas, La Habana, Cuba, 2018

Ella ha cambiado mucho a lo largo de los años, pero su talento expresivo se ha mantenido magnífico. Hemos documentado esta hermosa bailarina durante los últimos cinco años o así, y cada vez que se mueve de una posición a otra con una ferocidad.

Ayer tuve la oportunidad una vez más de fotografiarla, y lo hicimos en la ciudad por primera vez. Se ha convertido en una hermosa joven y me enorgulleció con su disposición a ser fotografiada. Ella vino con su madre, y caminamos por la ciudad buscando lugares.

La ciudad, por supuesto, es un lugar mágico para la luz y las sombras, perfecto para su talento. Usamos la primera hora de luz solar hermosa y tuvimos la suerte de tenerla. Espero ver las imágenes cuando se procesa la película, y volver el próximo año para hacerlo aún mejor para ella y su familia.

--------------------

She has changed much over the years, but her talent at expression has remained magnificent. We have documented this beautiful dancer for the past five or so years, and every time she moves from one position to another with a fiercness.

Yesterday I had the chance once again to photograph her, and we did so in the city for the first time. She has grown into a beautiful young woman, and made me proud with her willingness to be photographed. She came with her mother, and we walked around the city looking for spots.

The city of course is a magical place for light and shadows, perfect for her talent. We used the first hour of beautiful sunlight and were lucky enough to have it. I look forward to seeing the images when the film is processed, and to coming back next year to do even better for her and her family!

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram


Note: This image was made with a Fuji XT-2.

Anays + The Blue Chair, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2017

This past week the work has begun on the island, and with the most magnificent Anays Diz Pe. For this image we returned to a small village just outside of the city, and to the home with my favorite chair. While of course her dance images are without compare, she decided to display her sense of fashion and style for this session.

Her talents have now grown to include being a dance professor in two schools, while strolling the catwalk in a most prestigious modeling school. My schedule looks empty in comparison to hers, yet she still finds time for us to collaborate. If she could be photographed every single day she would do so, for she was born to be photographed.

On this morning we were fortunate enough to have sunshine, and plenty of it. We collaborated for perhaps one hour before the sun turned a bit hot for me. Anays could have gone forward for much longer, but perhaps it was best to save our time, and film, for our session this Sunday at the beach.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3, after hitting the ground from 5 or so feet high.

Syrian Girl + Garden, Zahle, Lebanon, 2017

She is as striking as her predecessors in her camp, as beautiful as any other in this world. Her homeland is in distress, and her life in Lebanon is anything but stable. Yet she does what she can to help her family, and endures with such grace.

On my second day to her camp she was helping her mother with the purchase of some vegetables from a visiting truck. She caught my attention right away, but her presence was missing as we had our first session.

As the third day arrived it seemed that she would never come, and then she approached us with a smile. She might have seen the photographs in her friends' hands from the day before, or just the commotion from the photography. Regardless she allowed me to make her portrait twice, in the shade and in direct sunlight.

She was silent the entire time, but spoke volumes through her expressions. My hope is that this portrait does justice to her spirit, and that she allows me once again to make her portrait tomorrow.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Arab Girl + Sky, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2010

Whenever this young girl steps in front of the camera she presents the most beautiful smile. Her features alone are beyond compare, and being with her in person is an indescribable experience. She rarely speaks, and when she smiles she lights up the world. She is of Syrian origin, and lives with her family in Lebanon in order to earn a better living. Their home is a simple tent and is without running water, a toilet... with electricity being a simple wire for a single light.

She and her family have fascinated me from the beginning. They live just outside of the tiny tent city, at the edge of the field. The families in the main homes refer to themselves as Arab, while they refer to her family as Bedouin in origin. She may be 15 years old by now, and my mind can only imagine how beautiful she has become. i look forward to visiting the site of this portrait, and hope to reunite with her family in a few weeks.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Fuji Neopan Acros 100 film.

Ballerina + Beach, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

As summer nears my mind wanders to the beaches of Cuba, and the dancers kind enough to allow this collaboration. This young dancer and her parents have been involved in my work for the past two years, and my hope is that this summer makes three. 

We were fortunate enough to have found her as we waited for one of our families in front of the dance school. That morning we were looking for a young dancer to take the role of an apprentice to our veteran dancer. She then appeared seemingly out of nowhere, on the back of her father's bicycle. We knew immediately that she was the one, and the rest is history as is often said.

On the day of this image, we picked her and her parents up from their home in Havana and headed for the beach. We were lucky enough to have sunshine in the late afternoon on the island, and took advantage of the light. She was very courageous and climbed up to be photographed, embracing her moment in the spotlight.

She lives to dance, and takes photography just as seriously. Her family's acceptance humbles me truly, and even more so in that they go out of their way to ask for inclusion in my work. I look forward to this summer, and hope to do better for her and her parents.

=====

A medida que el verano se acerca, mi mente vaga por las playas de Cuba, y los bailarines son lo suficientemente amables como para permitir esta colaboración. Esta joven bailarina y sus padres han estado involucrados en mi trabajo durante los últimos dos años, y mi esperanza es que este verano sean tres.

Tuvimos la suerte de haberla encontrado mientras esperábamos a una de nuestras familias frente a la escuela de danza. Esa mañana buscábamos a un joven bailarín para que asumiera el papel de aprendiz de nuestro bailarín veterano. Luego apareció aparentemente de la nada, en la parte trasera de la bicicleta de su padre. Inmediatamente supimos que ella era la única, y el resto es historia, como se suele decir.

El día de esta imagen, los recogimos a ella ya sus padres de su casa en La Habana y nos dirigimos a la playa. Tuvimos la suerte de tener sol en la tarde en la isla, y aprovechamos la luz. Ella fue muy valiente y se subió para ser fotografiada, abrazando su momento en el centro de atención.

Ella vive para bailar, y toma la fotografía con la misma seriedad. La aceptación de su familia me humilla de verdad, y más aún porque hacen todo lo posible para pedir la inclusión en mi trabajo. Espero con ansias este verano y espero hacerlo mejor para ella y sus padres.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Dancers + Friends, El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, California, 2016

A month or so ago it was my honor to photograph these two incredible dancers and friends at this timeless space. At first it was Cami who had responded to my casting call for dancers near Los Angeles, then Taylor graced us with her presence.

We met in the city and drove out to El Mirage for the afternoon. We were fortunate on that day, for earlier in the week the wind was out of control in the valley. When we arrived it was warm and just slightly windy. When the wind did pick up a little, they never complained and incorporated it into their movements. We exposed a few rolls per outfit, and moved the car from one location to the next in order to change the background as well.

Sometimes working with two people can present a challenge, but these two incredible spirits represented the highest of their art form in my humble opinion. They only needed a minute to discuss ideas, and presented incredible feelings frame after frame with very little time in between. This impressed me deeply then, and even more so now after seeing the results.

Watching them work together, and move from one expression to another was like sitting down for a performance. There were times when it was necessary to remind myself that my job was to document the performance, while still enjoying it. To have been granted the opportunity was both an honor and a privilege; and my hope is that the images are a testament to their physical talents and spiritual kindness.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Sisters + Courtyard of School, Rajasthan, India, 2015

When my work began in this region a decade ago, it did so with little context. Regardless of the number of stories told to me by my Indian friends or those traveling before me, nothing could have prepared me for what was to come. While the general presentation was somewhat overwhelming, the learning was accomplished through the nuances. 

Then one day we were visiting this very spot thanks to the graces of Humana India when one of people from the foundation asked me to stop. It seemed that one of the girls wanted to tell us something. All gathered around us while this young student shared a snapshot of her life with us.

Paraphrased from my memory 10 years later, here is what she shared with us: "Before this school, I never cared about washing my hands, taking care of my skin and brushing my hair. Before this school I walked around this village without sandals, and never thought much about what will come. Since this school began, I think about my future, wash my hands and take care of myself every day. This is what this school means to me."

To see her standing here next to her younger sister makes me very proud of the work Humana India did in this village for so many years. She is an impressive, young woman now and has begun her own family. My hope is that her voice will be heard, and that her daughters in the near future will attend schools just as she was able to do.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Three Women, Alwar, Rajasthan, India, November 18, 2008

So who are the women who have endured the world of human trafficking? Where are the faces behind the numbers and charts?

These three women live within the Kanjar Community, and have witnessed with their own eyes the world of the sex trade. This has been the reality within which they have had to live, and into which their labor has been forced.

So who are the women who have endured the world of human trafficking? Where are the faces behind the numbers and charts?

These three women live within the Kanjar Community, and have witnessed with their own eyes the world of the sex trade. This has been the reality within which they have had to live, and into which their labor has been forced.

They stood for their portraits 8 years ago so that perhaps their daughters would have a better chance, so that perhaps the world would wake up. Nirvana Bodhisattva and his team at Nirvanavan Foundation are doing their absolute best to honor these women, and their daughters.

Jesse Bach and Elana are also doing their best here in Northeast Ohio, where countless women also share this most unfortunate of stories. Let's support them in their quest for human rights and justice.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: These portraits were made with a Hasselblad V system.

Student to Teacher, Virat Nagar, Rajasthan, India, 2014

For the contributors to the two schools located near Virat Nagar, her portrait is being shared. Just this past week we achieved funding of these two schools thanks to a dozen who had come forward to do so. This young woman lives in the village just funded by our new team, congratulations to all involved!

This young woman used to be a student in one of the schools, while her aunt was the teacher. She went on to finish her secondary training and has now become our sewing instructor.

She has truly grown up into an incredible, young woman. When she was younger she was extremely shy, although always happy to be photographed. Now she is able to stand her ground, and carry conversations at length with foreigners and people from the foundation. She presents at first with a tough look, and then at a millisecond her smile appears... and a smile without comparison.

When we left last year she told me that she would like to open a sewing class in the village of her future husband. This made me immensely proud, for she has gone from student to teacher to activist!

We will support her in this endeavor, and in her future one as well.

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Fuji Neopan Acros 100 ISO film.

Ramón Perez Pereira, Artista de la Plástica, Havana, Cuba, 2016

This summer on the island was a little different, as we spent some time outside of photography. While assisting one day on an avenue, an artist's work caught my attention. He was very sweet, and talked at length with me about his work.

While the subject matter was sublime, the paper onto which it was printed had an incredible story. It was completely made by the artist and, as with this example, the telephone book was used in the paper's making. One could see the names of people, as well as their phone numbers.

According to the artist, the hand, both in form and in color, represented the idea of revolution. When speaking about his work, Ramón always had a smile on his face. The man was sincerely proud of his efforts, and made an impression on me.

Ballerina + Field, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2016

This young girl has taken part in our photography for the past two years, and has a most supportive mother. We actually met one year prior to our first session, as a friendly Cuban offered to introduce me to his neighbors, this young girl and her mother.

We needed two young dancers for our session and due to a mix-up we never collaborated that first year. Fast forward one year and here we were in front of a popular school speaking when this young girl's mother looks at me and says, 'we met last year!'

This is how the story began, and this past summer was our second year of photography. She has grown up so quickly, and has gained even more confidence than last year. In front of the lens she has incredible potential, moving with serious intent from one stance to another.

I so look forward to delivering the film tomorrow for processing, and picking up the film from this year's visit to India!

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted next to and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system.

Anyel + Blue Chair, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

The other day when I was posting an image of our second model from this session, Anyel commented as to including one of hers as well. It was done lightly of course, for she knew we had worked with her almost more than anyone else on the island this past summer. 

Well here is one image for you Anyel, to remind us of our beautiful morning together. This young woman was more than on time for us early in the morning, for we arrived at her home at 5:30 a.m. before the hint of sunlight. She was always ready as soon as we arrived on location, and always with a great attitude.

She had a presence in front of the lens, something that was clearly evident to me when we visited the modeling school at the beginning of July. We just knew we needed to include her in our work, and so did the stylist when we discussed his clothes. It ended up that we were fortunate enough to have been right, for she was on fire in front of the lens. 

This one is for you Anyel!

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook
Instagram

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100III mounted alongside and triggered at the same time as a Hasselblad analog system. 

1 in 12, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2015

A few friends, mostly photographers, have shared with me their view that going past 'the shot' goes against their gut instinct, paraphrased here for the sake of summarizing the collective. This opinion is to be respected in my humble opinion, but so is the possibility that the 'subject' has much more to say.

In this example, where perhaps should we have stopped?

My sincere belief is that such a spirit deserves the entire space of a medium-format roll in order to tell a segment of her story. The fact is that the entire morning was reserved specifically for her and her alone. Unlike my work in India when an entire class of young girls need to be photographed during one session, my work in Cuba allows the individuals to take the stage on their own.

This young dancer, known to most of us here, can stand her own in front of the lens for more than an hour. The fact is that it is the photographer who needs a break to reload, rather than her. Each roll tells a different chapter of her story for the day.

During our session on this day, we parked the car and walked the neighborhood at least half an hour before the sun was seen. We found four locations, and asked the families of the homes for their blessings. All agreed thanks to Alejandro's connections in this village.

So we walked from one spot to another, and she took on a different personality with each location. It was a marvel to watch, and an honor to document. As another dear friend told me once regarding the compromise between the priceless artifact and its purchase price, 'they're still printing money.'

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook

Note: These exposures were made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/100 mm lens scanned through the negative sleeves for proofing only.

Ballerina + Racquetball Court, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2015

Then we have this incredible setting, and the most perfect light. Just as we can depend on clouds forming in the afternoon on the island, we can almost depend on having the most exquisite light in the morning. While it is frustrating at times depending on the weather, it does make the photographs the much more meaningful.

So when we arrive at this racquetball court and see clear skies, we pinch ourselves. This young dancer has blossomed during our time with her family, and has now become one of our 'veterans' barely out of her single digits. She goes from one position to another without reservation, and almost always says 'yes' to our collaborations.

Her family lives in the city, and we pick them up thanks to Alejandro an hour before sunrise. She is always perfectly ready, and a professional in every way. She is still of course a young girl, and treats this racquetball court as important as any stage in the world. The sunlight hits each surface differently, giving us three beautiful tones in monochrome to compliment her multiple facets.

Her attitude in this image specifically left me speechless!

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Models + Friends, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, Summer of 2015

They work as models together, and are the best of friends. He has a quality about him which makes all working alongside feel beyond comfortable. She is able to produce expressions of innocence and seduction almost at the same time. We worked only once with them this past summer, but next summer I plan to do much more… and all of it in the ocean.

www.halimina.com

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100II.

Young Model + Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, Summer of 2015

These sessions are what make this island so incredible. We could photograph models in the morning on the beach, return to the city for a few hours of urban journalism then head to the countryside to photograph laborers in the fields. Even more incredible is that almost all make the time to learn about our project, and with enthusiasm give time from their days to produce such images. 

Earlier this summer we photographed this young model along with her friend, and were actually pointed her way by her companion. At first we were a little concerned even though her friend advised us of her experience in front of the lens. Our worries were laid to rest once we exposed the first roll of film, as we realized how calm and creative she truly was.

In addition, she had the most wonderful set of clothes picked out and changed between the various pieces with ease. We look forward to her presence once again next year, and will bring these images to her of course.

www.halimina.org

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Two Ballerinas + Photographer, Santa Maria del Mar, Summer of 2015

This past week I had a wonderful dinner with the president of my new employer, a truly enlightening affair. Instead of diving right into business, this incredible man displayed a level of interest in my photographic work which spoke volumes of his character.

We talked about the schools in India, the ballerinas in Cuba and how the two worlds can co-exist in this new collaboration. Instead of being worried about the time his new employee would be investing into this other world, he showed his complete support for these projects.

After my initial training in Denver this week, I am thinking this weekend of the girls in Cuba... of our time together at Santa Maria del Mar and of this tender moment, when we walked into the water for another photographic session. Even from behind one can sense the dedication these girls possess, the level of love they share with all of us through these images.

www.halimina.com

Note: This image was made by my friend Alejandro, on a Sony RX100M2.

Ballerina + Sky, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, Summer of 2014

In exactly seven days my plane lands in Cuba, and the very next day we will visit this young girl and her beautiful family. Last year was our first collaboration and this year promises to be extraordinary. This image was from our last session together on the beach, during my final week last summer. It almost never happened, but happenstance intervened and this is but one photograph. 

www.halimina.com

Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm combination onto Fuji Neopan Acros 100 ISO film.

Young Student + Step Up Center, Humana People to People India, Mewat, India, April of 2015

Just yesterday we made this image of a young student from one of our schools in Mewat, Haryana. Her reaction alone is enough for us to continue to support the schools through Humana People to People India. In less than three visits she has come to affect me deeply, and the connection between her and the camera has blossomed as in this example.

She is a complete natural and is able to look into the direction of the sun without strain. When I asked her to stay on the roof of the school for yet another portrait yesterday, her smile was from ear to ear. She was a star before we arrived, and my hope is that the images made will honor her timeless beauty, and her courage.

The school is doing quite well, and her teacher is quite motivated… studying at the local university to advance herself and her family. The students have a safe, clean place in which to study. They sit on clean rugs, and all around them are colorful posters demonstrating the alphabets, the names of animals and vegetables.

After we finished the photography for the afternoon, all of the students were dismissed… yet this young girl couldn't find it within herself to walk fully down the stairs even though the teacher asked her several times to do so. I was secretly glad of course, and asked her and her friend to come back up for a group photograph… in which she smiled as in this image!

www.halimina.org

www.humana-india.org

Young Student + Field of Wheat, Humana People to People India, Banganga, Rajasthan, India, March of 2015

In less than two weeks we will revisit this young girl's school and bid our farewell to her and her classmates for this year. They are now sitting under fans and on top of new rugs while taking in the lessons from their teacher. Behind her is the field of her teacher's family, and behind that her village of Banganga, Rajasthan. This is a magical place for me and the word 'Banganga' means a stream created by shooting an arrow, Ban means an arrow and Ganga is the name of a river in India and is synonymous to all the religious water bodies.

'This holy place is about 5 kms from the Kurukshetra tank and it is claimed that Bhishma Pitamah lying on the bed of arrows felt thirst and asked Arjuna to quench his thirst. As he would not drink the water of the mortal world the great hero Arjuna pierced the Earth with his powerful arrow and water gushed out in the shape of a spring.' 

'Bhishma drank the holy water and thanked Arjuna for his great deed. Pilgrims bathe in this holy tank and earn the combined merit of all the Tirthas. It was here that Bhisma Pitamah rested on his bed of arrows until the end of war and gave his last advice to Yudhistara, the eldest of the  Pandavas.'

Website

Tumblr

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram