Jonna's ongoing portrait project:
I take photographs as a way of honoring those objects, places and
people who might not otherwise be seen. Having stumbled reluctantly
into portrait photography while traveling, I yearned for a way to take
photos of people without making them feel like or portraying them as
objects, but rather people with individual thoughts and feelings. I
found a way to make a mini relationship by asking a person about their
favorite song to start the conversation. This usually led into more
information about their lives. I was not looking for the woman in
traditional dress or the old man with a weathered face like those
portraits that are found in many travel photo, coffee table books, but
those who are living and working every day with human stories to
share; not necessarily dramatic or tragic but stories that we all can
relate to as humans with a desire for happiness. I was drawn to take
pictures of those at work in service occupations, the people who take
care of us that we rarely, truly see or hear.
South America: people and their favorite songs/canciones favoritas:
1) Carlos in Lima, likes all kinds of music.
2) Family in Villa Santa Rosa, likes all kinds of music.
3) Herbert, "Esperanza" by Diego Torrez. Gladys, owner of a gift shop in Cuzco, "Benoita La Luz" by Mana from Spain. Megan, an American volunteer helping at the shop, "Motor y Mutivo" by Grupo Cinco.
4) Ronnie (age 10) in Cuzco, "Titanic" theme song.
5) Victoria, Machu Picchu guide, wants to visit Disneyland with her daughter, "You Are My Sunshine".
6) Mario, bus driver, on the road in Urubamba, "Mi Pero Vals" by Los Hasis Anartu.
7) Margarita, selling drinks on a sidewalk in Cuzco, "Entersaba Las Blancas", "Margarita", Salsa music, also likes singer Sonia Morales.
8) Demigio, selling pisco sours at alpaca ranch, "Dodes me Amor" by Sonia Morales.
9) Antonio, journalist, "No me quite pas" by Maysa, Brazilian artist singing French song.
10) Javier, boat assistant on "Carina", "Es Mejor" by Juanes.
11) Diego Escobar, scuba instructor, "Son by Four" by Franco Debida from Venezuela.
12) Jeisser, student of marine biology, "Loco Por Ti" by Jay P. (his brother).
13) Mercy Danilo Montero, mother in Puerto Ayora, "Bueno es Alakarte Senor" evangelical music.
14) Peter, fishing boat captain, "Abre Mis Hojos o Cristo" from Mexico (Open Your Eyes To My Heart).
15) Carmen, mother at Sugar Cane/Coffee plantation with daughter Domenica, merenge, salsa, cumbia y romantica musica.
Go back to the fifth '09
Peru & Ecuador Trip Photo Page.
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