about this piece
During my time in Sayulita, Mexico, I had the privilege of photographing Juan, a member of the Mexica (Aztec) community, wearing traditional ceremonial regalia in the forests outside the city. As we worked together, he shared stories of his culture, the history of the Mexica people, and the importance of preserving traditions that have endured for centuries despite colonization and cultural erasure.
Although the photographs were taken during the day, the dense forest canopy, paired with blue and amber lighting, transformed the landscape into a nighttime scene. Standing there, it felt as though history and the present had briefly converged, reminding me that these traditions are not relics of the past but living expressions of cultural identity.
This experience reshaped the way I think about portraiture. It reminded me that photography can be more than the creation of an image. It can become an opportunity to listen, to learn, and to witness the resilience of a culture carried forward by the people who continue to live it.