Solo exhibition at Panza Verde Gallery in Antigua, Guatemala

For an artist who lives far away from his place of birth, it is always a special feeling to return to the home country with a solo exhibition.  This was certainly the case for me in presenting "Before the Eclipse" during the month of June at Galeria Panza Verde in Antigua, Guatemala.  The gallery itself has two separate spaces, which inspired me to present images from two different cities: Havana and Beijing.

Opening Night was beautiful and well-attended.  In the following weeks there was important coverage in the media, including a full page interview in Prensa Libre, Guatemala's largest daily, and an interview during the prime time news for Telediario Canal 3.  

It's good to feel the love when you go back home!

Next stop Havana!

Packing bags for Cuba! 

Our second SVA Destinations Digital Photography Workshop sold out once again and we're heading to Havana for a week of cultural and photographic immersion.  I'll be teaching this workshop in tandem with my esteemed colleague and fellow Faculty member Alex Garcia. 

If you're interested in joining us in the future, drop me a line and I'll add you to our Mailing List.  More info here.

Attending the New York Times Portfolio Review

Yesterday I attended the New York Times Portfolio Review with an all-Cuba portfolio. Some of the work - like this photograph of a despondent, newly-married couple - was shot barely a couple weeks ago.

Out of the 2500 photographers who applied 160 were accepted. It's truly a world-class gathering of photographers, editors and curators. Some of my colleagues came from far away as India, Africa or Asia.

Epic.

Photographic Workshops in Beijing and Havana

I'm fresh back from Beijing where I led a workshop for the China Photographers Association in tandem with Shen Wei - one of my favorite photographers - and distinguished curator Ren Yue.

Next, I'm heading to Havana in March 2016.  Together with Katrin Eismann,  Department Chair of the Masters in Digital Photography Program at the School of Visual Arts, we will lead a week-long workshop.  Applications are now open: we are looking for a few good photographers to join us in exploring this historical moment of transition for the people of Cuba.

More details here:
http://destinations.sva.edu/digital-photography-in-havana-cuba/faculty/

With best wishes for the Holiday season,

Jaime

Universidad de Habana

While photography is my first love, academia is a close second. One of my favorite mornings in Cuba was spent striking up random conversations with students and faculty at the University of Havana.

Oh... and I was also rebuked by an aging curmudgeon of a professor who was upset when I photographed him admonishing a truant student without asking for permission. The truth is the light was beautiful inside the auditorium and class was not in session yet. I dutifully apologized and his tone somewhat softened when I replied that I photograph because I have the misfortune of being born a photographer. His eyes seemed to consider my words and then he said to me with some conviction: I am not sure one can all that a misfortune.