On August 29, 2022 my father, aunt and I went out to Santo Domingo Xenacoj in Guatemala with the intent of shooting portraits of people from the town. The goal was to have anyone be able to sign up and get their portrait taken for free. We provided everyone with digital copies of their images so they could have them to share and print if they wanted.
The project idea came about a couple of weeks earlier while visiting the town during a festival. While taking pictures of the activities someone approached me and asked if I wanted to take a photo of them "to take back to my country." Next thing I knew other groups of people were volunteering to have their photo taken.
I wanted to do something in this town, but I didn't want to use up people's time without giving something in return. So we decided to do a free portrait day. The purpose was to simply photograph people as they were and wanted to show up. There wasn't too much posing happening, lighting was basic, and the background was 2 tablecloths lent to us by a local weaver and friend of my dad. I did little more than putting everyone in the correct spot and encouraging them to smile. I didn't want to impose too much of myself on them and just let them be as they wanted.
In total we had 57 people show up to have their photos taken.
My hope was to dignify everyone with their photos. Professional photography is not accessible to everyone so not everyone gets to be represented by photography. Maya people don't tend to get photographed outside of tourist situations or media drawing attention to their ethnic identity. A good photo of yourself can be empowering. My goal was to capture them as people and not reduce them to their dress and cultural traditions, while providing a high quality photo for them to keep. All in all it was a fun day and everyone who came seemed to leave happy.
Thankfully my father had friends in the town that he asked to gather people for the shoot. My aunt drove us out there in her car and to pick up our light rental, and helped introduce people to what was happening, where to stand, etc. While my father got their contact details and information so we could send their photos. Once we were set up all I had to do was snap, so I am grateful to them for making sure the day went smoothly, and was even possible in the first place.
Eduviges Chocoy, 62, Weaver (Tejedora)
Francisca Sipac, 68, Weaver (Tejedora)
Alberta Ocox, 49, Weaver (Tejedora)
Nancy Paola Poz Chocoyo
Maria Isabel Abaj de España, 75, House Keeper (Ama de Casa)
Marta Lilian Rac, 40, House Keeper (Ama de Casa)
Lilian Rac, 6
Guadalupe Chile Say, 55, House Keeper (Ama de Casa)
Adolfo, 57, Educator (Educador)
Rosario de Maria Choc Chile, 36, Nurse (Enfermera Auxiliar)
German España, 52, Missionary (Misionero)
Felicita Subuyuj, Weaver and founder of the Counsel of Weavers of Xenacoj (Tejedora y fundadora de Consejo de Tejedoras de Xenacoj)
Eberardo Chile
Sofia Rac Aquino, 9
Diego Fernando Rac
Francisca Tuy , 53, Weaver (Tejedora) and Son
Nancy España, 32
Keny España, 23, Estudiante
Nicolasa Subuyuj, Weaver (Tejedora)
Alejandra Maryluz Aquino España
Zoe Catalina Aquino Xinic, 5
Elvis Aquino with daughter Zoe Catalina
Eulalia Chile Say
Natividad Sanjay, Weaver (Tejedora)
Angela Asic España, 17
Angie España Hernandez
Marta Hernandez, Weaver and founder of the Counsel of Weavers of Xenacoj (Tejedora y fundadora de Consejo de Tejedoras de Xenacoj)
Teresa de Jesus Hernandez Aquino, Weaver and founder of the Counsel of Weavers of Xenacoj (Tejedora y fundadora de Consejo de Tejedoras de Xenacoj)
Sara Saban, 20
Sofia Fernanda Poz Bacajol, 4, Student
Gilma Alejandra Poz Bacajol, 15, Student
Obando Eleuterio Poz Aquino, 39, Music Teacher (Maestro de Formación Musical)
Irma Yolanda Bacajol Chile, 35, Primary School Teacher (Maestra de Educación Primaria Intercultural)
Maria Angelina Chile, Weaver (Tejedora)
Mirna Raquel Aquino
Tomasa Xil
Angela Tun, Weaver and founder of the Counsel of Weavers of Xenacoj (Tejedora y fundadora de Consejo de Tejedoras de Xenacoj)
Mardoquo Ajozal, Public Servant (Servidor Público)
Juan Soto, Public Servant (Servidor Público)
Josue Saban, Public Servant (Servidor Público)
Silvia Hortensia Rac, Weaver (Tejedora del Consejo)
Vilma Veronica Aquino, Weaver (Tejedora)
Meybell Bacajol
Silvia Tzay
Juana Bacajol
Chelsy Chile
Flor Hernandez
Edi Santos, Artist (Artista)
Alicia España, Weaver (Tejedora)
Maria Gregoria Asij
Juana Say
Telma Chile
Francis Chile
Teresa Chocoyo
Behind the Scenes
The Crew
