Article originally written in English. Automated translations may contain inaccuracies.
I photographed this series in Cali, Colombia, working with Afro-descendant women from the country’s Pacific region and designer John Uran, whose work includes clothing created specifically around Afro representation. Rather than documenting a particular tradition as I often do, the idea was simply to place their identity at the center of the image and celebrate these women through portraiture, color and design.
Most of them were not professional models, which made the experience even more interesting to me. John selected the clothing for each of them, including pieces ranging from a bridal dress to more casual garments, while I concentrated on the portraits themselves. His work brought a strong visual identity to the series through fabrics, accessories, headpieces and other elements rather than through a single traditional costume.
What stayed with me most, however, was the energy they brought into the session. There was an openness, warmth and joy that made the process feel very natural. Their smiles were not something I had to ask for; in many cases, that energy was already present in the way they interacted and carried themselves in front of the camera. It became contagious, and the atmosphere of the session gradually found its way into the portraits.
Photographing them also reminded me of one of the things I value most about portraiture: the photograph can begin with a visual concept, but the interaction with each person in front of the camera inevitably shapes the result. Light, wardrobe and composition can be carefully prepared, yet the final image often depends on something much simpler—a gesture, a smile, a way of standing, or the moment when someone stops thinking about the camera and begins to feel at ease.
This series was different from many of my other cultural projects because it was not centered on documenting a ceremony, tradition or inherited practice. Instead, it became an exploration of Afro-Colombian representation through contemporary design and portraiture. For me, its cultural value lies not only in that contemporary expression, but also in the women themselves—their confidence, individuality and unmistakable sense of joy.
—Thank you to John and Alejandra for welcoming me into the city and making this portrait series possible.
