Danilo y Camila
Way back and tucked away into a little campo called, Arroyo de Leche, live a couple by the names of Danilo and Camila. This campo is nestled into the foothills of the mountains overlooking Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. They are near yet distant neighbors to the campo where my husband, Miguel, grew up. Until not too long ago, it was only accessible by foot, horse, or if the path wasn’t too muddy, motorcycle. It’s called, Arroyo de Leche because of the farming and for especially the milking of cows that come out of this particular place.
On a separate day, a couple of years ago, I asked if I could come photograph a bit of a day in the life of Camila and Danilo. Being gracious and very hospitable people, they readily complied. The following day, as the dawn just barely broke the horizon, I set out on foot to get to their house early. I knew these people went down and up with the sun. I didn’t want to invade their space too early but wanted to get there early enough to catch life as it is and as it unfolded for Camila y Danilo. Sure enough, Camila was already dressing out some chickens that she had promised to have ready early for a buyer close by. I caught her perhaps a little off guard. I think she was expecting to get her house in order before we showed up on the scene. Our plans were to haul up a little BBQ to help share a meal with them. These “campo days” are favorite days for our family.
Being let into a private space is such a delicate position to be in for a photographer. Documenting life is a privilege that I don’t take lightly. I remember after having newly come into this area of the Dominican Republic to live…a younger version of myself, many years ago now… the Haitian people living around here didn’t want any photographs taken of themselves. They believed that a photograph could take their soul. In some sense this is true. As the photographer knows, the best portrait will freeze a moment and show a glimpse of a living soul. Having permission to document such a sacred part of life, needs to be handled with the upmost respect and care.
Camila was a little bit nervous. She knew the work she was doing was brutal. A brutal, necessary part of life. I backed off; asked for permission to come closer and enter with her into her kitchen space; tried to give her respect as this was not my space to invade. Sometimes all it takes is just getting used to the contraption and person observing and shadowing along. Its not super natural but it was my job to try to blend in….be the fly on the wall. Photography is a craft with so many facets to learn…..a lifetime of learning.
These are some of the images I was able to make. I made a small book of these to gift Danilo and Camila….a token of thanks….a keepsake for their family.
