Congregation of Sheep, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India, 2017

Earlier this year we did something different, we explored the western landscape of Rajasthan without much of a plan. With the help of my dear friend Mukesh, and the guidance of Nirvana, it turned out to be a great experience.

We talked as we drove, stopped whenever we wanted and took the camera out when the scene showed itself to us. In this instance, we witnessed some sheep gathered without movement. It was a striking scene, and as we walked closer to the animals they remained together without movement.

This region is within 25 kilometers of Pakistan, and was filled with pure silence. Traffic was non-existent, and sand was everywhere. The Muslim community treated us well, but informed us that none of the villages in the region would allow photography. They had gotten together years ago and agreed upon this, mostly due to the fact that the area is filled with tourists and, while they worked with these tourists as guides, they wished to preserve their privacy at home. 

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So we photographed sand dunes, and sheep, and had a great time doing so!

Turn + Smile, Rajasthan, India, 2017

For those of us who have come forth on behalf of 240 children in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, this image of one student is being presented. My hope is that her joy is clear to all of us, that even though she is turned, we can see the extreme happiness in her expression. This is the magic of an education, the power of hope. Thanks to all of you the new school will begin later this year in Uttar Pradesh, as well as four new sewing classes both in Rajasthan and in Uttar Pradesh.

With the guidance of Nirvana Bodhisattva and Imdadullah Nadvi Nadvi, your donations will be put to good use. Last month the first quarter of the budget was sent, and next month the first half of the budget will be met. Now that I am back from the summer in Cuba images will be posted, and stories shared. All of you can rest assured that the progress will be noted for all of us to witness.

A sincere thank you for all of us, to all of you!

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm lens combination.

Model + Shadow, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2017

This year promises to be an incredible one at EGOS, a school for models run by the magnificent Gysleda. This young man is one such example of the beauty and power on the island, and helped us produce beautiful images this past week. 

While he has exquisite attributes, it is his humility which stands on its own. He was both soft and strong, and worked so well with the other model during the session. When asked to remove his shirt, he did so without hesitation... and when asked to pour water on his beautiful hair, he also embraced the request. This image is the result of his cooperation, and spirit of course. 

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

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.

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

Young Syrian + Home, Zahle, Lebanon, 2017

During my last visit to her camp over seven years ago she was yet to be born, and the circumstances in the region were very much different. Her community was made up mostly of migrants working in Lebanon in order to support their families back home in Syria.

Since then much has changed, and her homeland lay in ruins. Her camp is a mix of migrants and refugees, and the most dangerous elements from the wars in the region have even made their way into the camps doting the landscape around her. This is the environment in which she lives, and from which this portrait was taken just this past week.

Her camp happens to be where my photography was born over 20 years ago, and where my photography was reborn last month after a seven year absence. To say that my mind was filled with hesitation before this trip would be an understatement. Yet making my way to her camp just seemed right, regardless of the risks involved.

In the end the camps embraced me as they had done two decades ago, and have given me the confidence to return next year. For this portrait her family invited me into their home to photograph her youngest sister. While that portrait was never made due to her sister's shyness, hers was more than easy to make for she is anything but shy!

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Young Syrian + Shawl, Zahle, Lebanon, 2017

Her portrait was made almost exactly in the spot where my photography was born twenty years ago. She is from the same community, Syrians living in Lebanon... but the circumstances today are much different than they were then. Her homeland is in ruins, and amongst her community are those who pose great danger to all regardless of faith or political leaning.

She endures a most difficult life on a daily basis, living in a tent settlement on a winding road. Cars pass by without slowing down, and without much care for the children playing near the edge of the street. While of course her parents love her so, the life of the children in these camps is more than just rough. The actions of the boys, in any other setting, would be seen as anywhere from violent to criminal. In front of my eyes, while we were making her portrait, two children fought with fists and without reservation hitting each other with full force in the face.

This goes on daily in front of this beautiful girl, and much more. Lebanon has absorbed hundreds of thousands of refugees from Syria, totaling almost half of its normal population. The jobs are now even more scarce, adding to the friction between the communities. In this pot of emotions she has to exist, and does so with such strength.

Many ask me, especially after seeing how difficult the photography is in the camps, "why continue?" It is simple, I admire this young girl and those like her for surviving the ignorances of those around them, and for doing so with such innocence and grace.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Syrian Refugee + Fabric, Zahle, Lebanon, 2017

The men driving me to the camps have been amazed by the beauty within them, especially this young girl living just fifteen or so minutes from my grandparents' home. The men have lived in this town since birth and have driven past the camps on countless occasions. Yet they had never stopped for a minute to interact with the populations within, had never seen such beauty.

Most are offended by the intense smell, or by the mere presence of the refugees within their country. In so many ways such a presence has put a strain on the country, with the economy in distress and the already fragile security more strained.

However for me these camps are the birth of my photography, for me the children within them are as beautiful, as strong and as vibrant as any encountered in my travels. They are the flowers amidst the chaos, they are the inspiration behind my work.

This young girl's smile erases the difficulty in achieving her portrait. While men look on at times in disapproval, she stands her ground and speaks her mind through her portrait. She refuses to be silenced, refuses to be ignored. If this portrait can communicate such to the viewers, then it has done justice to her spirit.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

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.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

The Designs of Yudel with Patricia, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2016

There is something truly special about this incredible island that continues to bring me back. While of course the cars are sublime and the music is untouchable, the people of Cuba impress me deeply for they embrace without hesitation. 

This image is such an example. It all began when we visited a modeling school seven years ago, and were welcomed on our first visit to photograph the students. Every year since then the collaboration deepened, allowing us to photograph those we wished to photograph. In addition, the two best designers in the capital have allowed us to freely use their works with the models, and to do so for as many days we wished over the past few years.

For this session we were fortunate enough to have the designs of Yudel on hand. This man is simply divine, as is his work. For the models we were photographing, he selected pieces suited for their frames and personalities. He allowed us to visit his shop, also met us at a park near his home all to make our work that much simpler.

We made this image at the end of our session, as the sun's strength increased. Patricia put the long, flowing dress on and began to dance in the rural streets of Guanabacoa. The shutter was released in line with her movements, pure magic.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Daughter of Sheikh, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2009

On the 11th of August in 2009 her portrait was made, over a dozen years after my photography was born in her camp. She and her family lived in Lebanon as migrants, and her father was in charge of negotiating between the Lebanese farmers and the Syrian laborers in his encampment. Her community had one foot in Lebanon, and the other in Syria.

She has two older sisters who had been photographed by me previously, when they were allowed to be photographed... and two younger sisters who photographed freely with us at the time of this portrait. She is the most precious of girls, and words fail me in describing my feelings for her and her family. She is like a daughter to me, and my upcoming trip to Lebanon is filled with the hope of seeing her again.

One day as we finished our photography and were walking back to her tent, we shared the most incredible conversation out in the open, yet out of hearing range from the community. It will remain in my memory for life, and is what drives this work forward. Such experiences are priceless and demonstrate how special this path in life truly is.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 555 V system.