PHOTOGRAPHY

HIGHLIGHTS

PHOTO STORIES

ISLE OF FROZEN DREAMS

THIS IS COCODRILO, ISLE OF YOUTH, CUBA, THE LA D OF FROZE DREAMS. THE DREAMS OF CAYMAN ISLAnDERS, ARRIVING TO HER SHORES AT THE START OF THE CENTURY In SEARCH OF A BETTER LIFE. THE DREAMS OF THE OCEAN, ASSUMING A TRULY VIBRANT, TEEMInG FORM OF HERSELF. AND MY OWN DREAMS, TO BACKTRACK On THE PATH OF TiME, REWIND THE FORCES OF PROGRESS/DESTRUCTION, SIT WITH THOSE WHO LIVE SIMPLY And in COMMUNIOn WITH THE EARTH (IMPERFECTLY, TRAGICALLY, BEAUTIFULLY) AND TO TELL THEIR STORIES In THE NAME OF PLAnETARY HEALING. CREATInG THIS SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS WAS AN EMOTIONAL PROCESS FOR ME, InVOLVING DEEP BELLY LAUGHTER, SISTERLY BONDS, BLOODY WOUNDS, THE enDLESS HELP OF An INSPIRING COMMUNITY LEADER, GOODBYE TEARS, AND THE KinD OF TEARS THAT COME WHEn TWO PEOPLE FROM COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WORLDS SIT TOGETHER IN SILENCE, REALIZING THEY UnDERSTAND EACH OTHER DEEPLY, ALL THE WAY FROM THE CENTERS OF THEIR SOULS TO THE FAR REACHES OF INTERCOnnECTED EXISTENCE.

PORTAITS

ON THE EVE OF AN OPENING

IMAGES OF EVERYDAY CUBA, TAKEN IN 2015 JUST BEFORE THE NATION BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ECONOMIC EXPANSION AS A RESULT OF THE LOOSENING TRADE EMBARGO WITH THE UNITED STATES. SHOWN IN THESE IMAGES ARE THE IMPACTS OF LOOSENED RESTRICTIONS, INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE WIDESPREAD USE OF THE INTERNET BY THE CUBAN PUBLIC.

DREAM OF A LAND MY SOUL IS FROM

THE ASHAYER ARE NOMADIC PASTORALISTS OF SOUTH IRAN, AND THE DESCENDANTS OF MY ANCESTORS. TRADITIONAL NOMADiC ASHAYER TRAVEL WlTH THEIR FLOCKS OF SHEEP TWICE YEARLY TO AND FROM THE SUMMER HIGHLAND PASTURES NORTH OF SHIRAZ TO THE WINTER PASTURES NEAR THE PERSIAn GULF. THEY MAKE A LIVING OFF OF THEIR SHEEP, MAKING CHEESE AND YOGURT FROM THEIR MlLK AND WEAVING COLORFUL RUGS FROM THEIR WOOL. WITH THE INCREASING URBANIZATION OF IRAN AFTER THE 1960S, THE MAJORITY OF ASHAYER HAVE MOVED INTO NEIGHBORING CITIES TO LIVE SEDENTARY LIVES. THESE ARE IMAGES OF TRADITIONAL NOMADIC LIVELIHOODS THAT HAVE PERSISTED NEVERTHELESS, TAKEN lN THE AREAS OUTSlDE SHIRAZ, FARS, IN 2016.

EL NIñO DE LA ALGA

lN DECEMBER 2015, THE NOTHERN ATACAMA DESERT COAST, OF CHILE EXPERIENCED AN EL NINO EVENT, THROWING ITS NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS OFF BALANCE-MUD FLATS CRACKED DRY FROM DROUGHT, THE DESERT EXPLODED IN HOT PINK BLOOMS, AND THE COASTAL WATERS NOTICEABLY WARMED. ARTISANAL ALGAE FISHERS HARVEST AND PROCESS BULL KELP ON THESE ROCKY COASTS AND SELL IT FOR USE AS AN EMULSIFIER IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS WORLDWIDE, MAKING UP A LUCRATIVE PORTION OF THE CHILEAN ECONOMY. THIS PHOTO PROJECT LOOKED AT THE IMPACT OF EL NINO ON ALGAE HARVESTERS' LIVELIHOODS, AS WARMER WATERS LED TO LESS ALGAE, AND THEREFORE LOWER INCOMES FOR THESE MARGINALIZED WORKERS.

BAHAMIAN SEACULTURE

THE LIVES OF THOSE LIVING ON ABACO, THE BAHAMAS ARE IRREVOCABLY INTERTWINED WITH THE OCEAN. AFTER DECADES OF SURVIVING OFF OF WHATEVER THEY COULD DERIVE FROM THE SEA, MANY ABACONIANS STILL MAKE A LIVING THROUGH DIRECT INTERACTION WITH THE OCEAN THAT SURROUNDS THEM. THESE IMAGES SHOW SCENES FROM LIVES UNDERWATER-SCENES OF DEATH, LIFE, SPIRITUALITY ADRENALINE, JOY, AND SURVIVAL FROM THE LIVES OF COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERS THAT CALL ABACO HOME.

All images are copyright © Dr. Shireen Rahimi 2024