I recently had the opportunity to attend a quinceañera in the city of Quer
étaro, Mexico. My time in Mexico was very short, exactly 48 hours to be precise, but it felt like a week with everything I saw and did. Not a moment was wasted and I was able to work up the courage to try my hand at street photography, which has been a dream of mine for a long time.
Funny how I've never had the courage to attempt this in my home country because I felt too awkward or was afraid of how I would be received, but in a foreign country I felt much more comfortable taking pictures of random people, jollying up to complete strangers to introduce myself and speak with them in a language I'm far from fluent in. For whatever reason I've always felt more comfortable socially when I'm in Mexico. The people are warm and inviting, and I don't feel like I'm being judged for unimportant things like I often feel in the US.
This was a very validating experience for me, both as a photographer because I am very proud of the images I captured, and also as a human being because of what I was able to achieve socially and how in communion I felt with the people around me.
Regina
She was sitting on the steps of Iglesia de la Cruz, or Church of the Cross. She was watching me as I photographed the building and so I smiled at her and she stayed exactly as she was while I framed this shot. Afterwards, I approached and asked her name. She was very open to talking with me, asking about my camera, where I was from and what I thought of the inside of the church (gorgeous). Noticing her bag of belongings sitting beside her and wondering if she might be homeless, I asked where she lived. She replied simply, "La Iglesia es mi casa". The Church is my home.
Perro Guardian
This tiny Chihuahua had stationed himself at the entrance of presumably his master's store, barking fiercely at anyone who passed.
Hola, está bien
Rafael
This guy actually approached me as I made my way down the sidewalk and asked me to take his picture. An extrovert for sure with a friendly smile and a big personality! Also a really funky laugh!
Las Calles
Renata y su Perro, Suri
Renata didn't pay much attention to me, more interested in whatever was on her phone. She did allow me to pet her dog and take her picture. Suri on the other hand paid more attention to the people passing by, perhaps sensing her owner's lack thereof.
La Vida de las Vendedoras
These girls were just two of many children who approached me, wanting me to buy the various trinkets they carried.
En Una Cafe
We stopped for drinks at a small outdoor restaurant. The couple in this picture were laughing and clearly enjoying each other's company. On every table sat a pot growing an edible spice plant like rosemary, tarragon, basil, or parsley.
¡Qué Escandaloso!
At one point as we sat at our table, a group of what appeared to be prostitutes began wandering the street and approaching people. The women had bras and thongs on over their clothes, and this man wore nothing besides what he's pictured in here. The fully clothed man on the left didn't seem to know what to make of him.
Miguel
In talking with this young man about his accordion playing, I learned that he someday wishes to be a taxi driver because they can make a good living. Such a modest dream, I hope it comes true for him.
Luna
I don't know if this cat had a name or not, but she reminded me of the moon. She belonged to a shop owner where we stopped to look at t-shirts.
Gente y Colores
Los Tres Chistosos
Los Tres Guapitos
When I finally convinced these three to stop teasing me and turn around for a picture, I told them they were guapo, or handsome.
Ser Invisible
Hija de Dios
Cristina y Guadalupe
When I asked Cristina what her daughter's name was, she responded that Guadalupe was not her daughter, but that she takes care of her. I liked the way the little girl was holding her hand.
La Noche
The night life in Querétaro is just as lively as the daytime.
