williamvazquez

[williamvazquez]

Making the exotic seem normal

One of my main goals when photographing in developing countries is to portray people in a way that makes them seem normal not different.

We all laugh, cry, love, and play.

This was a photographed in the state of Odisha, India for the organization Citta

[williamvazquez]

Puerto Rico....still needs help

This past April I was in Puerto Rico on assignment for @americares documenting their ongoing projects helping Puerto Rico recover from the devastating hurricanes that passed over the island in 2017. I have visited the island a few times after the hurricane. Things are betterl, but there is still so much to do. In many areas there still is no electricity, debris still hasn't been cleared away, many essential services still don't exist, and jobs non existent. No wonder so many Puerto Ricos are leaving their beloved island to the mainland US to find better opportunities.

Lucinda and Juan live in the mountains of Utuado in the center of the island. This area was particularly hard hit. They live near a beautiful water fall which during the hurricane turned into a raging mudslide that swept away most of their home, their belongings, and electrical lines. Fortunately, they were able to escape with their family before anyone was hurt. Although their future is uncertain, get their water from the river, they still don't have electricity, and have no idea when it will arrive. Working together with their neighbors they make the best of their situation, but many neighbors have left to the mainland. They refuse to leave..."this is our home and we are not leaving." Such beautiful people.

Me at Everest Base Camp, Nepal. Dedicating my trek to Puerto Rico

When I was visiting I saw a Puerto Rican flag on the wall and I asked where I could buy one. Lucinda, took it off the wall and handed it to me. I did not want to take their flag, but Lucinda insisted. She said "This is remember us and where you come from." An emotional moment for sure. So this is for Lucinda, Juan. I haven't forgotten! 

[williamvazquez]

Always be Motivated

Always be motivated to do good work, help people, and in the end stay inspired.

In 2013 I was in the Philippines just after Typhoon Haiyan. I was there documenting the herculean emergency relief efforts by Direct Relief, and their partner organizations in the areas devastated by the typhoon. On this trip I met with some inspiring people. People that I knew were going to do even more amazing things in the future. They motivated me to stay in touch with them, and follow their work over the years. I knew that one day we will be able work together, and collaborate on something great. The stars came into alignment in 2017 where I was able to coordinate a commercial project that got me to Kenya, and also get to work with this small hard working organization Mission Restore. I had been following it's director's projects since we met in the Philippines in 2013.

Mission Restore is a worthy organization that helps spread knowledge, and surgical skills to doctors in communities in need of those skills. It was a beautiful thing to meet so many dedicated doctors, and how they truly change peoples lives for the better. I was glad to be a part of it. 

This is a result of the project. I photographed their doctor trainings in and out of the operating theater as well as patient stories.

[williamvazquez]

Dusk settles over Havana. Every window has a story. I always wonder what is going inside those windows. Heading there in March 9-16, 2018 #traveldeeper #ontheroad #cuba #havana #travel #landscape #dusk #night #skyline #cameravoyages (at Havana, Cuba)

[williamvazquez]

Inside/outside. Indian barbershops nothing like it anywhere else. Exploring a small village in West Bengal at dusk for future photo workshops. #documentaryphotographer #documentaryphotography #westbengal #ontheroad #india #storiesofindia #barbershop #travel #traveldeeper (at Sikkim)

[williamvazquez]

Young monks playing games on a day off from their studies and chores. #traveldeeper #streetphotography #storiesofindia #monks #travel #ontheroad #monastery #india #sikkim #documentaryphotography #documentaryphotographer (at Rumtek Monastery)

[williamvazquez]

I love walking through small villages in rural India. #traveldeeper #storiesofinia #westbengal #india #streetphotography #travel #indiagram #streetphotography #portrait (at Gorubathan, West Bengal, India)

[williamvazquez]

Ancient places. #traveldeeper #streetphotography #storiesofindia #india #darjeeling #monastery #buddism #beautiful #light (at Ghum Monastery)

[williamvazquez]

Waiting for the moment. Monk in doorway of monastery. #ig_india #incredibleindia #storiesofindia #monk #monastery #india #ontheroad #onlocation #photographer (at Ghum Monastery)

[williamvazquez]

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A post shared by William Vazquez (@williamvazqueznyc)

A minute on the street a lifetime of stories. Slow motion on the streets of Kolkata. #westbengal #travelphotography #storiesofindia #travel #streetphotography #kolkata #slomo #slowmotion #traveldeeper #streetphotography #streetlife (at Kolkata)

[williamvazquez]

Seeing beauty in West Bengal. #travel #traveldeeper #dancer #india #storiesofindia #travelphotography #westbengal #ontheroad (at Bawali, West Bengal, India)

[williamvazquez]

The ruins of an old temple. Exploring mysterious places for future photo workshops. #travel #traveldeeper #india #kolkata #ruins #mystery #ontheroad #onlocation #travelphotography #storiesofindia #streetphotography (at Bawali, West Bengal, India)

[williamvazquez]

Feeling like the Pied Piper here. I don’t remember what was going on though. Whatever it was it must have been good. Thanks @sirjamescole for the awesome pic. #india #travel #goodtimes #rajasthan #portrait #ontheroad #fun #kids #storiesofindia #funtimes #traveldeeper (at Jaisalmer)

[williamvazquez]

Thinking of Haiti January 12, 2010. I was in Haiti just a few weeks before the earthquake that devastated parts of it in 2010. I was working with @abbottglobal and @partnersinhealth documenting the great work that they were doing there supporting the Haitian people. I met Isabelle while she was waiting to see a doctor at a clinic. She touched my soul with her smile, and precocious personality. I always wonder how she is doing now. #documentaryphotography #documentaryphotographer #beautiful #portrait #haiti #love #storiesofhaiti #csr (at Cangé, Centre, Haiti)

[williamvazquez]

Beautiful light, colors and just amazing street life on the streets of Chandelao, Rajasthan India. From my recent photoworkshop I led on a road trip through Rajasthan. #travel #traveldeeper #travelphotography #storiesofindia #india #rajasthan #kids #beautiful #beautifulplaces #streetphotography #documentaryphotographer #documentaryphotography (at Chandelao)

[williamvazquez]

2017 in pictures

2017 was a great and a tough year photographing. I photographed amazing places, beautiful people,  people powering through hard times, and natural disasters. I got to work with great clients, travel with some inspiring people, and be in some difficult places with people who are truly dedicated to helping others.

Here are a few highlights of some projects I did this year. I am truly blessed.

 Hoping and wishing everyone that 2018 is full of beauty and peace.

[williamvazquez]

Getting in a little darkroom time. #photograohy #blackandwhitefilm #darkroom #oldschool #filmphotography #bwfilm #mediumformat #hasselblad #jobo (at Boerum Hill)