Finding Connection Through Portraits and Conversations: Building Stronger Latine Communities
This week brought a blend of emotions—two more interviews and portraits for my pilot project, and an impromptu pop-up photo session at my local dog park. While it didn’t quite unfold as I had hoped, it served as a reminder of the unexpected gifts that come from stepping outside of my comfort zone. And despite some setbacks, I find myself more energized than ever to keep pushing forward.
Let's start with the pop-up session. The weather was perfect—70 degrees, sunny, and the kind of day that invites you to be outside. I set up at the dog park, hoping to capture some fun, candid moments of people with their pets. The goal was twofold: meet some new faces and make a little extra money for the upcoming purchase of the pilot books. Unfortunately, not a single person booked a paid portrait session.
But here’s where the day turned around. While I didn’t land any paid work, I did meet two groups of people who left an impression. The first was a pair of married couples on a bike journey, enjoying the fall weather. We had a brief but meaningful conversation, and they seemed interested in the project. The second group was a father out with his daughter, and as soon as we started talking, I learned they were Puerto Rican Christians. In that moment, I felt like I was there for a reason—maybe not for paid portraits, but to make a connection that could lead to something greater. If I was meant to meet even just one person who could link to the project, then it was worth it.
As for the two interviews I completed this week, I’ll share more details in a separate email, but I have to say, as hard as it is to capture in words, my thoughts and bullet points about the project are coming together. The themes I’ve hoped to uncover—our fears, pride, love, and loyalty as Hispanics/Latinos—have been echoed in these first four interviews. I look forward to learning more and seeing if these sentiments continue to surface as I move through the project.
One thing is becoming very clear: I’m not the only one who has felt a sense of disconnect from our Latinx/Hispanic brothers and sisters. There is a deep desire in many of us to rebuild stronger, more communicative, and connected communities. That realization alone has been so powerful. We’re not alone in this feeling, and that makes the work I’m doing feel all the more important.
Thank you for following along on this journey with me. There’s so much more to come, and I’m hopeful that every step, even the unexpected ones, is leading me closer to the bigger picture. If you or anyone you know might be interested in participating, feel free to reach out. Every connection matters, and every story adds another layer to this project’s purpose.