This is my 3rd image that has appeared in Afar magazine. Every time a new one comes out I’m always super stoked! Because for me it’s a bit personal. Literally.
I’m so so happy some my personal has found a place to live, and it also pushes me harder to shoot more like it. It’s a huge part of who I am, and I’m proud to share it.
Anyway, a little backstory on this image. A day prior to shooting this, I was footing around the mountain/hill town of Kandy, Sri Lanka shooting street portraits of people I would meet. I met this incredibly friendly old man, Captain Wijekoo. Wije (as he liked to be called) worked as a captain in the Sri Lankan navy. We went and sat for ceylon tea at his local tea shop, and next thing I knew he was inviting me to stay a few days with his family in his village. My first thought was… wait… really? Then I later told myself, “fuck it… I’m in Sri Lanka.”
Next morning, I took a small locals bus to “I have no idea where I’m going” and eventaully found my way to a small town waiting under a street lamp and waited as instructed. As luck would have it Wije found me 20 mins later and took me to meet his family. But before that we jumped in a tuk tuk (3 wheeled motorcycle/go kart) and took a 5 hour detour to show me around this part of Sri Lanka.
Moral of the story: Just go! Trust me, I was a little hesitant and nervous about taking a bus to basically the middle of nowhere for me, and staying with a stranger and their family I literally just met on the street! But in the end, I trusted my gut and just went.
Wije and I enjoying a very cold and need beer. It was INCREDIBLY hot that day.
Wije now chillin in his garden.
Wije's grandkids. His family all lived together.
A conversation with Wije with his wife in the background. So incredibly sweet of her to have me over and cook.
Stove area. Some tasty meals were prepared here.