Magnets- Imanes de Alama
As photographers, both street and in-studio, we have the power to make transformative decisions. Each time I position my camera to capture an image, my mind achieves a distinct clarity, winding imaginative tales of the subjects. In recent days/months I’ve challenged myself, limiting my photographs to certain subjects.
I love to return to certain street corners two, three or even four times. In New York City, chaos tends to surround you everywhere you look. I hadn’t been to the Feast of San Gennaro in a years, and felt that a calling to take a stroll in search of the perfect corn on the cob
As I was walking and I saw a sea of the most attractive, colorful, inspiring handmade pieces of art. There was a crowd of people, and I couldn’t even get close to the action. I knew I had to return, so the next night I went back to the same spot at the festival and I realized there were people gathered, but not as many, allowing me to approach. Some force had drawn me to these little magnets.
There lay an an entire mercado spread on that large table. It struck me as very familiar… I thought “wait that’s a delicious paella… and some a ceviche… perhaps an arroz con pollo or a fish… those are my fav vegetables.. and fruits.. and an empanada!” Omg! these were the same magnets that my grandmother had on her fridge when I was young.
Alma is a 90-year-old women from Peru who has been selling her Peruvian magnets in nyc for 15 years. She brings them every year for artisans in Peru and sells them at wholesale prices, a whopping 50 cents each! It is fascinating when a subject has a compelling story. I went back 5 times to the Feast of San Gennaro this year to learn from and speak to all the different Latinx businesses that were participating.
I bought many magnets that second visit but had unfortunately run out of cash (she doesn’t take Venmo yet). I asked Alma for a portrait and told her I would return to take more photos and finish the payment in the morning and she agreed. I went back 2 more times to observe Alma in her element.
Although I wasn’t able to have a close relationship with my grandmother. She always supported my artistic inclinations. At 17 years old she moved to New York and gifted me my first ever Apple laptop to pursue my photography career. She also showed me her love of cooking and taught me how make some of my favorite dishes — ceviche and alfajores. This story with Almas magnets felt very full circle for me. It was beautiful to see a fellow woman of color put every ounce of love in her body into her business.
In my travels around the world, I love to capture candid moments but also connect with the subjects of my photographs. Markets (or mercados) worldwide have always fascinated me and I will continue to share these mercado moments with you all!
