light.music.water.

Each day of the week is assigned a certain color. Wednesday is Blue, Tuesday is green and Sunday is yellow. A closet of segmented colors and four pairs of pants His mother calls him, Esteban, but everyone else addresses him as “Jefe.” He comes in at 2 pm, takes his seat at the bar, orders 2 croquettes, a beer and then one more croquette. He enjoys a snack as he watches the day go by. The smoke of the fryers weaves through the market hustle-- vendors shouting, locals buying, kids running and searching for a way to escape the boredom of Sunday errands. Amidst the crowd he sees a duck: unaffected, focused, and waddling steadily with pride; he sways with the rhythms of the crowd and finds his way to the stall, his stall. A compact flap of his wings lifts him onto the counter. Another decoration amongst all the fruit --disguised from the vendor. On the counter lay a fresh bowl of acai garnished with slices of fruit, bits of granola, and a twig of mint—the devouring begins. He seems so comfortable and delighted that no customer thinks it to be an odd site; the crowd takes pause. The vendor takes note. A lunge at the fowl. Papaya, mango, and guava—smashed all around puddles of purple, the streets of Sao Paulo never smelled so good. . . . . . . . . . . . #saopaulo #brazil #acai #film #womeninfilm #city #portraitphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu5NqIGg2D_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1it92h0h5tegy

A still from a short film I was DP on for the Lifetime documentary campaign Her America: 50 women, 50 States, which took home a Clio in 2018. This piece features, Shake 070 from New Jersey; a musician signed to Kanye’ West’s label GOOD Music. Thank you to an amazing crew of all females @wearecousins__ @its_me_anne @anaveselic @jesschermayeff @lifetimetv @070shake Link in bio #internationalwomensday #femalecrew #lifetime #070shake #jersey #music https://www.instagram.com/p/BuxU-H0AjXQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nh5g718m04ue

A still from a short film I was DP on for the Lifetime documentary campaign Her America: 50 women, 50 States, which took home a Clio in 2018. This piece features, Shake 070 from New Jersey; a musician signed to Kanye’ West’s label GOOD Music. Thank you to an amazing crew of all females @wearecousins__ @its_me_anne @anaveselic @jesschermayeff @lifetimetv @070shake The film link can be found in my bio #internationalwomensday #femalecrew #lifetime #070shake #jersey #music https://www.instagram.com/p/BuxRUuVAvZU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1l7kogb5r4ors

It smells of old dust, spilt soda, empty bags of chips and left over chicken bones. She discovers that school has the same residue smell all year-round. A light and a bathroom is all she needs to excuse her entry into school in the summer. After riding around all day, she has no desire to go back to the heat packed overstocked living room of home. The summer heat is thick, still, and has no intention to leave the air. Empty and cool, the hallways keep her exploring longer than she intended, roaming freely on her bike with no discipline to stop her. A self imposed breeze as she rushes down the hallway, cuts into the classroom, weaves through the desks, pushes aside a chair, knocks down books and creates a new path for her course-- a scattered tornado. Thirsty. Parched. She rides down to the cafeteria in search of a beverage, one that is cold and satisfying. Scouring the kitchen frig, she finds a carton of undated milk and an open bottle of half drunk coke; the water from the faucet is luke room and shows no sign of getting cooler. A night of surprise and indulgence is brought to an end by thirst and the late hour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #medellin #colombia #school #film #womeinfilm #emptybuilding https://www.instagram.com/p/BuxHphsAtGX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b0mpbha69giz

She has her coffee break from four to five everyday. Lunch is over and dinner has yet to be served. The summer heat invades the restaurant, and her coffee never gets cold. Some days she takes a walk around the block with her coffee in hand. A “hello” to the florist across the street and a browse in the boutique next door; but she will walk for only half of her break, the other half is reserved for drawing. Occasionally she draws moments that pass her by on her walk, but often she draws worlds from the conversations she hears during lunch. Maria lingers as she clears the table to pick up more details for her afternoon sketch. As the restaurant get louder, the conversations become more careless and the secrets are amplified. If the day is slow and the conversations are lacking, she will do a self portrait—yet never a contemporary one, she will time travel instead. A portrait of her as a knight in midevil times. A disco dancer. A Spanish explorer voyaging through the seas. Maria on the moon as an astronaut. Every time she starts to draw a portrait of herself in the future, she stops, and decides to wait instead. . . . . . . . . . . . . #medellin #colombia #travel #photography #womeninfilm #film #nikon #photography https://www.instagram.com/p/BunHjGagW1J/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5hqhym6xsh1t

She had finally grown into her sister’s skates. Two pairs of socks is all that she requires to make them fit perfectly. The beginning of summer offers time to play and practice--no distraction of school to pull her away from skating through the neighborhood. At first the stairs present a challenge, yet she soon realizes how to navigate them. The gutter on the side allows her to skate down as she holds onto the railing-- learning to balance into her growing body. As her skills and speed grow, her competitive needs search for possibilities; a few other kids have skates but their skill level offers no challenge to her. She resolves to a race against a true competitor, Lilo—her dog. A mixture of athlete and commander, defying the physical limitations of his mixed breed heritage—Shepard and Chihuahua. Lilo is dedicated, full of energy, and loves to play fetch; at times he gets distracted and runs an erratic path in pursuit of the ball, but his immunity to the tires of repetition make him the perfect training partner and competitor. The only hindrance to her daily practice is the restless nature of her brother who complains of boredom and a tired throwing arm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #medellin #colombia #play #skate #kids #travel #womeninfilm #film #nikon https://www.instagram.com/p/Buj9nlgA0oa/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pg2faqkf5bnw

The only time she can have the roof to herself is at night. She maneuvers around her siblings and whispers up the stairs to the top. Her phone lights up the page and she submerges herself in the text—after a few hours, her eyes fade and the phone dies. She naps. As the sun starts to rise, she resumes her reading. There are no others roofs that surround her, only tin. An endless view of the city, and a quiet that escapes her on the floors below—an empty space to create a world. The middle child and the only girl. Her older brother is kind, but useless, and has no desire to be aware. Antonio, the younger one, exhausts the house with his constant energy; yet always brings laughter wherever he goes. The dawn is her favorite, but the morning is not. Once the sun has made it’s entrance into the house, the noises begin to rise and her siblings push their way onto the roof. She welcomes them with warmth and leaves her words until the night. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #medellin #colombia #roof #barrio #read #book #film #womeninfilm #nikon https://www.instagram.com/p/BuhzqY6gTGt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5rg10hauxiuo

Busy streets are his favorite. He doesn’t have to spy on anyone, they all pass by him. Bus. Dog. Smaller dog. Families. Couples. Kids wandering. The circus life of a city…a reminder of his ordinary imagination. During the busiest times of the day, he stands ready with his bucket full of water balloons. His favorite time of the day. The process is not random, it is specific and detailed; he takes pride in his accuracy. As the foot traffic increases, he scans the sidewalk for a potential encounter. An encounter that he is curious to create---one that would seem unlikely otherwise. Today it is Celia—the girl at school he has a crush on – and Carlos the mechanic up the street. Just as they cross each other’s paths, he drops two. A perfect drop—he always makes sure that the balloons are all the same color –- one hit her on the shoulder and Carlos’s directly on his head. At first, a look of disdain then confusion, and then a soft acceptance as they saw each other-both wet and both grumpy. The encounter ended with an exchange of napkins and a small laughter. Julio’s crush on her remains and his next target approaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #colombia #medellin #citylife #womeninfilm #film #nikon #travel https://www.instagram.com/p/BuewauygqwI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qzdy36g2hm11

The same debate each time. The first path or the third-–the smoothest and fastest, a question that is tested and measured each time they play on the slides. A friendship since birth, cousins born 6 months apart with the same given name; all that separates them is the sound of their voices. They sneak out every Wednesday, early in the morning before breakfast, and meet at the slides. It’s empty, quiet, and all their own. They discuss their theories and plans of constructing a better slide; one that is faster, more comfortable, and bright blue. Some mornings, they meet at the slides, go explore through the neighborhood; and plan how they would build a new slide system. One that would connect the different neighborhoods and form a quicker path between their homes. Another slide that accommodates the elders-- a path that avoids the labor of steps, and provides ease and fun on the descent to the bottom. Animals and toddlers, a consideration as well. Mini slides that are slightly deeper with little bumpers on the interior to prevent slipping out or injury. A shout is heard, “Pedro,desayuno!” He indicates to his cousin that his mother is calling them. Every Wednesday, there is one extra Pedro at the table for breakfast. . . . . . . . . . #medellin #colombia #childhood #play #travel #womeninfilm #film #nikon https://www.instagram.com/p/BucGZI-AypP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nmt5r2lak0em

It’s a game they play every day afterschool. Sometimes they start from the left, sometimes from the right, and other days they just close their eyes and imagine someone from the day before. The late afternoon —a break between the demands of school and the responsibilities of home-- an hour filled with pretending and discovering. They have their usual spots to people watch and imagine. The square outside the field is a favorite location: always moving or waiting…the ones who are forced to wait reveal themselves the most. Some get anxious, some just wait, and others invite in random conversations. At times, the desire to know the truth of their imaginations pushes the girls into curious conversations with the strangers; yet, often, the dialogue does not venture beyond a few words on the weather and a hello. And then there are the ones who get more than one imaginary life; the faces that wait often and allow the girls to stare. Some days Carla and Flavia find themselves retelling old stories of the other’s imagination…as if it is a truth they heard on the street. . . . . . . . . . . . #colombia #medellin #travel #childhood #film #womeninfilm #nikon https://www.instagram.com/p/BuaC7UyAIbL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=w269oddjwb93

It’s a game they play every day afterschool. Sometimes they start from the left, sometimes from the right, and other days they just close their eyes and imagine someone from the day before. The late afternoon —a break between the demands of school and the responsibilities of home-- an hour filled with pretending and discovering. They have their usual spots to people watch and imagine. The square outside the field is a favorite location: always moving or waiting…the ones who are forced to wait reveal themselves the most. Some get anxious, some just wait, and others invite in random conversations. At times, the desire to know the truth of their imaginations pushes the girls into curious conversations with the strangers; yet, often, the dialogue does not venture beyond a few words on the weather and a hello. And then there are the ones who get more than one imaginary life; the faces that wait often and allow the girls to stare. Some days Carla and Flavia find themselves retelling old stories of the other’s imagination…as if it is a truth they heard on the street. . . . . . . . . . . . #colombia #medellin #travel #childhood #film #womeninfilm #nikon https://www.instagram.com/p/BuaCb5MAZZk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=q4npdgz6gd52

Four lives and three generations living in one household. They do not wait for each other; as their actions overlap, and the routines of each age fold into one another. The streets of Saturday morning are filled with children who are up too early, parents who wish they could sleep, and elders setting up tables of dominos. Sounds of salsa call out in the streets, as scents of fried plantains and eggs waft out of every household and invite the neighbors in for a shared meal. Enrique stumbles around the house and finds his way to his abuelita on the balcony; she and Lucia are in the midst of a conversation--the local politics of the day-- and a recap of the week’s events. Lucia and Carla-- thirty years of Saturday morning balcony talks: sessions that have filled heartache with laughter, and others simply to pass the time as they watch their children grow. Their conversations are often interrupted by the impatient feet of the youngest, or the rationalized demands of the oldest. The interruptions turn into events and the conversations turn into memories... shared memories amongst three generations and two households. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #medellin #colombia #elbarrio #family #portrait #film #womeninfilm #nikon https://www.instagram.com/p/BuK84cVg5u3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vkh2y0cjp232

After the earthquake, a cave formed in the side of the hill. A small hidden one. Malinalco. Pueblo Magico. A village of cobblestone, home cooked meals, and open doors. Just out of reach of the big city and and its modern detached customs, filled with wandering donkeys carrying bushels of hay and surrounded by lush, green hills of deciduous forest. In the early evening, the greens of the hills invites the purples and pinks to lay soft pastel highlights on its ridges and create a warm embrace around the village below. Every year, on the anniversary of the quake, as the pinks and greens of the hills begin to meld together, a melody of sounds begins to emerge and enter the village like a soft rain. Sounds of sweet horns and drums mixed with the strings of a single guitar. As you walk along the streets, the music surrounds you and indicates no single source, no beginning, and no end. The first year, the villagers came out into the streets searching for the musicians-- a space to delight in the music and dance with loved ones. The following year, a new tradition formed, the streets are decorated with lights, the homes bring their food out to the streets, and the villagers dance as the local musicians play along to the rhythms that envelope them. Each year, a few teenagers scour the hills for the master musicians, yet no discovery is made---only a musical journey as they roam through the forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . #malinalco #mexico #music #travel #womeninfilm #film #nikon #landscape https://www.instagram.com/p/BuHikV8A5Zb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hq42n1otz5w8

Fresh cut. Ready for school. It’s the last weekend of the summer. Sebastian steals his brother’s scooter and takes an aimless drive around town searching for a reason to leave. A summer filled with all the necessary pains of growing: a heartbreak, a summer job that doesn’t pay as much as it takes in self respect, and a growing responsibility in the family household. This is his first summer of more work than play, and another season that reminds him of the changes to come. The hottest day of the summer follows Sebastian all around town. The paved roads release the scent of hot tar and the gravel roads leave his legs covered in a thin layer of sweat filled dust. He stops at the local waterfall, searching for friends and a reprieve from the heat; instead he finds himself avoiding family outings and pouting at the packed pool of water, filled with children splashing and parents watching. Another ride through town leads him to his cousin’s house, a friend who is always in the midst of a thought and submerged in a new endless project. His cousin greets him with warmth, offers him a paleta, and listens to his desire for an adventure. He offers Sebastian enthusiasm and ideas, but cannot part from his new passion project: a birdfeeder that is also a wind chime. The charms of summer elude Sebastian; he returns to his stolen scooter and drives around aimlessly in the hot sun. . . . . . . . . . . . . #mexico #malinalco #scooter #travel #womeninfilm #film #nikon #summer https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAibY8ACMN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1um87nprsv1fk

A dinosaur that is grey and blue; it’s his favorite toy. His brothers could not be bothered with helping him find it; they have no care for a small plastic dinosaur, they are more concerned with playing with a ball. Marco, determined to find his dinosaur started to roam through the fields; he is the youngest of three brothers, the most stubborn, and often finds himself playing on his own for he does not want to comply to anyone else’s rules. He remembers playing with it in the morning, but then his mother called him in for breakfast and left Dinosaur behind. His young memory fades quick and his ability to recall his exact location has not quite matured to a precision. And then--there is the dog, Pooooocho… Poocho loves toys and Marco’s dinosaur encompasses all of his favorite chew qualities; tough exterior with a bit of flexibility and small limbs to gnaw on. He can only hope that he finds his toy before Poocho does; or the next time he finds Dinosaur, it will be a mangled version of his former self, or worse—buried in a secret ditch amongst a collection of “lost” articles and Poocho’s favorite bones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #medellin #colombia #childhood #dinosaur #toy #womeninfilm #nikon #film # travel #portrait #dog https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt-K9XHA8tA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ne7lrunngm28

She comes to the slides to daydream. All the commotion around her lets her stare off with no one to bother her…no one to take notice of her stillness. All the girls are consumed with gossip or ranks, or dictating the next game to be played. She, simply, wants a place to daydream. Fridays are the best days to come to the slides. The intermix of weekly recaps and weekend duties create a melody of sounds that drown out her responsibilities, and make space for the stories in her head. Some are stories of grandeur and others of unseen beauties--most are explorations of the sky and the sea. Worlds that we are allowed to visit, yet never live in. Images of flying over the vast ocean for days, and feeling the breeze of the calm winds early in the morning flush against her skin. An endless dive into the arctic waters, with no fear of a chill to keep her out, and only the sound of the vibrations of the breaths that surround her. A familiar tone enters her story---the sound of her mother’s voice calling her home for dinner. She glides down the slide and says her goodbyes...a slow walk home to a dinner that awaits her. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #colombia #medellin #girls #play #travel #daydream #femalefilmmakerfriday #womeninfilm #nikon #film https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt7RKv_Aa3A/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h4cx2rtqflcg

A maze of balloons, a casual birthday wish. An entire room full of balloons surrounds her in a bouncy playful embrace…she gets lost in the sky blue walls as she explores to find the voices that call to her sweetly. She catches glimpses of the star in the ceiling, yet is not tall enough to peer over the maze and see a clear route. Celia can hear the paws of her dog pattering and see pieces of her brother’s shadow running around on the floor, yet, she takes her time to move through the dreamy space, with no rush to reach the end. The day before, her grandparents took her on a trip to the city, so that her family could begin to build the maze--one thousand two hundred and forty six balloons---an army of joy and air. Two of the four walls curve into spirals, but only one leads to the center. As the sun comes around and spills into the room, the rays of light bounce off the walls and push through the cracks of blue. Celia reaches the center and is greeted by a ladder, just tall enough to reach the star, and look above the maze to see her family surrounding her. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #mexico #mexicocity #kids #celebraion #film #womeinfilm #nikon #travel https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt2WzMrA_vu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1o1143vwsu3sr