12190962_10156171510520022_1591456686920204472_n Chiapas, Mexico. The indigenous Maya culture runs deep in the highlands of Guatemala and into Chiapas. While tourists run all over San Cristobal de las Casas, some of the smaller villages harder to reach see few outsiders. Political turmoil has plagued Chiapas for years and the indigenous communities see themselves as apart from the Mexican government. Like most cultures of the land, it’s not always easy to get ” inside” for photos. Trust must be built. This takes awhile. I slept on the floor of this small house (no hostels) and this mother of four was making tortillas for me yet had allowed no pictures even after two days. Early one morning I saw the passerby coming to my left, I saw a moment coming, and I couldn’t resist shooting and made this one Kodachrome risking possible anger from my host. Fast eye contact. Eye contact at the right split second is always a key for me. She only smiled with this one camera click , and I didn’t shoot any more and just sat down for my breakfast of tortillas, beans, and an egg. I also had a Polaroid and later shot a picture of her family for their wall. This photo later appeared in a NatGeo story on the Maya and in my book Divided Soul (Phaidon). I’m always grateful for hospitality. Most especially in communities of the indigenous where history has created boundaries. In the end, humans are humans regardless of culture. Yet one must respect local traditions first. Then see if you can humbly make a photograph. Good intentions are always felt if sincere. #mexico #maya #chiapas