Two Ballerinas + Racquetball Court, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2015

This image showcases the word 'favorite' in many of its aspects, from the dancers to the location and to the country. It was made just a few weeks ago and features the most exquisite spirits from Cuba, and was exposed at our private studio, Las Canchas de Santa Maria del Mar.

Actually, the spot is one of eight racquetball courts arranged into a group just off of the beach. In the mornings however the spot is usually vacant, as we arrive just before sunrise.

The two young girls in this image had never met before last year, even though they attend the same school of dance in the city. As the story goes, we were searching for a younger dancer to compliment our veteran… in features and in spirit.

We had never anticipated such a collaboration, and one year later we continue to be amazed as to how they compliment each other perfectly. The older dancers loves the idea that she is the mentor to the younger, and the younger dancer enjoys being guided.

This image speaks to me personally, for it shows how the two have blossomed into genuine friends. They invite each other over to their birthday parties, which happen to occur during my time in Cuba every summer.

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Note: This image was made with the 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.

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

Modelo + Futbolista, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2015

This image was seven years in the making, and was made possible through my stay at this young man's home this summer. His younger sister is perhaps the most famous of the Cuban ballerinas in my work to many of you, and they share the same facial characteristics.

How could I have ever imagined almost seven years ago that I would be staying in their home for the summer? When I first photographed his sister in front of her dance school in Havana, none of us could have envisioned what has since happened between us... the images we have created as a team.

So this year, this young man decided that he would like to be included in the photography, and asked in the most humble of ways for such. We then visited our friend's school for models in the city to find a young woman with whom he may be photographed. He happened to select one of our friends, a happy coincidence for all.

We talked briefly about the session and then left it until after our return from our week in the countryside. He never lost faith in us, and waited patiently. When we returned, we went ahead and scheduled our session at our favorite spot, the racquetball courts at Santa Maria del Mar.

Of course we talked about the wardrobe, but had to say very little. They were both quite comfortable with each other, and presented their ideas openly and with calm demeanors. It was just perfect, and we had plenty of sun for the sunglasses as well!

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Note: This image was made with an 8-year-old Kodak point-and-shoot digital camera... saved the day after my state-of-the-art Sony broke down with two weeks left on the island!

Ballerina + Beach, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, Summer of 2015

This image is dedicated to those contributing to our Costumes for Ballerinas in Cuba campaign a few months ago. The generosity of these individuals, along with the incredible discounts granted from our local Capezio store after learning of our project, led to a suitcase filled with outfits for the dancers on the island.

The looks on the faces of the dancers cannot be described adequately in words, but one can just imagine! None of the girls removed the tags from any of the outfits, choosing to leave them in place for all to see. They had worked so hard the previous year to produce the very images that moved so many of you to contribute… and were now experiencing the results of that hard work.

My message to them was simple, that this exchange was equal and two-way. The people on this side of the ocean were simply inspired by their images, and in exchange for such had chosen to take part in this project in order to demonstrate their gratitude. 

The images of the contributors holding pictures of the dancers in their hands, or near their faces, delighted the dancers. For the very first time they saw the faces of those inspired by their art… and gained even further inspiration to create more this past summer.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Ballerinas + Railroad Tracks, Guanabacoa, Cuba, Summer of 2015

When the girls saw the photographs of our veteran on the railroad tracks from last year, they immediately wanted to do the same. We arranged for a day of photography in the countryside, in our familiar neighborhood. We had access to the fields, to the houses and to this track.

We started with the field, a couple of horses and the familiar truck. The girls had a wonderful time as always, as they have become great friends since first meeting through the photography. They work together rather than compete against each other… a sublime relationship.

When we were almost finished, the girls reminded us of the railroad tracks and we hurried to get to them. From the field to the tracks is a short five minutes ride, five minutes because we drive as slowly as one walks due to the poor quality of the path.

When we arrived there was a man working to the left, just outside of his home. The girls performed without noticing anyone around them, as professional as always. Each listened to the other, and moved from one position to another as if they had practiced it all before this morning.

The girls were wearing the outfits made possible through our Costumes for Ballerinas in Cuba campaign from a few months ago. They were beyond happy to have received the outfits, almost in disbelief that so many were touched by their images from last year. Hats off to the contributors!

www.halimina.org

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Boy + Koranic School, Uttar Pradesh, India, April of 2015

Sometimes the boys do take center stage, and this was the case in this small Islamic school located just inside of Uttar Pradesh from Delhi. Last year we met some local families dealing with the humanitarian crisis in the area as best as they could, and formed bonds with them which led us to this school earlier this year.

We drove from Rajasthan to Uttar Pradesh one morning, and reached the school in time to see the students prior to their departure. Can any of us imagine one day sitting down in a tiny village reciting the Koran then looking up and seeing this stranger with a camera walking in?

The looks on the faces, especially the girls, was indescribable. These are the expressions which keep me going back overseas, and which drive my work. This time however the boys were equally curious, and led me to include them in the portraits more so. We of course worked digitally, for the film was reserved for the girls and a select number of boys.

However, looking back at this portrait, I do wish that I had included more boys in the film photography. That being written, I am content in having this young boy's portrait digitally. He is magnificent, his expression as haunting as any from that day. The school is just behind him, with one room reserved for the boys and one room reserved for the girls.

The landlord is my friend, the man responsible for singlehandedly bringing forth the vision for a needed school and for building the school with his family's resources, onto his family's land. The children have a place to study, and in the near future my friend aspires to expand the curriculum to include other languages, mathematics, the arts and science. He is a visionary, and knows how to work within the system while including voices from the outside.

www.halimina.org

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2, with available light only.

Model + Paper Corset, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2015

Our last week in Cuba was spent working with a few groups, including a collaboration between two fashion designers and a school for modeling. We had worked before on many occasions with the school, yet wanted to include more formal designs from the artists of the island.

We spoke with two designers who usually stop by the school on Saturdays, and they promptly agreed to work with us... enthusiastically to our delight. This was our second session with the magnificent Rafael and his corsets made from paper. From a distance they look incredible, but up close one truly gets an appreciation for his skill.

This was also a chance for the models to improve their book, to work with the finest designers in the city. We could offer them not only the images, but the chance to present their own fantasies as well. This was our first time with this young woman, and she glittered for the lens just like her outfit.

www.halimina.com

Note: This image was made with an 8 year old Kodak point-and-shoot, loaned to me by a friend after my trusted Sony broke down on the island!

Two Dancers in the Park, Parque de Lenin, La Habana, Cuba, Summer of 2015

This was their second year with me, as they were selected to work with our veteran dancer from years ago. On this day, we visited Lenin Park just outside of La Habana, and made this image as the sun appeared from between the clouds. The sun disappeared soon after, as we drove back tot he city.

Both of these girls received outfits made possible through our Costumes for Ballerinas in Cuba campaign. In fact they are wearing the outfits in this image. The sun was only out for a minute or so, but we managed to make some digital images for the families since we drove the one hour to the park with the girls dressed up.

They did however enjoy a water ride at the park, right before this image was made. This summer a few lessons were learned, one being that a water ride is on the same footing as the photography, that spending time with the families is now as important as the images we make. We have turned that corner, and the view looks incredible.

www.halimina.com

Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Young Dancer + Truck + Horse, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2015

We were reunited with the truck from last year, and the horses from the neighborhood a few weeks ago. She had changed so much since last year and has grown up into an incredible dancer, even more incredible in front of the lens.

The neighborhood is just outside of La Habana, but might as well be hours away. The homes and the people are quite different, more like the countryside than the city. Photographing in the area is quite special, as my friend's son lives in the neighborhood. When we see a spot, or a truck, we ask permission and are granted such immediately.

The girls love this spot, and making photographs of dance quite different than the norm… rather than the theater. They get to perform to a different audience, and the people in the area get to see a performance in their own backyard!

www.halimina.com

Note: This was made with a Sony RX100M2.

Profesora y Las Canchas, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, Summer of 2015

Back in the country after two months in Cuba… two images of my dear friend from this past Friday are being shared. All of the models we have photographed in the past on the island were from her school of modeling.

Yesterday we had the honor of documenting her immeasurable talents, and ageless spirit. In doing so, we were humbled by the opportunity and her incredible ability to move between expressions effortlessly. We spoke in between rolls and are ready to present the portraits made this past summer, along with the designs of our dear friends Rafael and Yudel… hopefully to receptive eyes at the agencies on this side of the ocean.

www.halimina.com

Note: This image was made with an eight year old point-and-shoot Kodak camera borrowed from a friend when my trusted Sony broke down on Friday.