I made these photographs over a decade visiting Peru, my father, friends, traveling on assignment. It was a window to the world hidden in plain sight, frequently overlooked by tourism. Peru’s empleadas – the domestic engine which makes Peru and South America so comfortable for those able to afford the human luxury. You can see the work larger on my website here.
So pleased to have my work from Cholita selected for American Photography 30. It’s my first time making the book (SELECTED not CHOSEN – viva la difference – [it actually makes little difference in the grand scheme but we hold onto our delusions, don’t we]) It’s wonderful to take your pain and turn it into something transcendent that touched at least two out of three judges. ; )
Howler Monkeys, Rio Tambopata, Peru © Susana Raab 2008
Ranger Rick call me! I’m not an avid fan of the wildlife genre, but I do like James Balog’s tree book very much. But seeing these howler monkeys up close, little critters which woke me up at 4 in the morning with a steady hum that lasted through 6 am. I think it was one of the coolest thing about my little trek to the Peruvian Amazon near Puerto Maldonado in late March. And I met some great conservationists from Porto Alegre, Brazil and Cusco, Peru (Hi Leo & Jorge!).
The following, on the other hand, I can fully believe didn’t make the cut as it depicts clear-cut growth on the rain forest in Peru. Not perfect for a travel piece on fun places to visit. Nevertheless, it is part of the tour and rightly so as it’s important to educate people when one has the opportunity to do so, so in theory it coulda run . . . .
Clear-Cut Rain Forest, Rio Tambopata, Peru.
Trudging along with editorial assignments and website revision. Completely sick of looking at my work! (except for photos of howler monkeys)
Mother and Child, Agua Dulce, Lima © Susana Raab 2008
Most of this series I can’t show till it’s published in Italy later this year, but this is an outtake from a project I shot while in Peru on a few beaches. It’s called La Mar, which is also the name of one of my favorite restaurants in Lima. Yeah, I’m working on the old website update and scanning a bunch of film. Good times.
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