My Colombian friend Mel invited me to come to the program she helps to run, which offers free English classes to at risk youth on Saturdays. They also provide the kids with sandwiches and drinks. Long story short, I went down to see what was up.
It was a lot of fun interacting with the kids. At the end of the day I thought, why not get in a Developing Nations shoot as well.
Last year while living in Thailand I decided to import a bunch of harem/alibaba style hippie pants back with me. After almost completely clearing out the 50+ pairs I had brought back, I decided to use the last couple pairs as samples to make new ones with.
I wasn’t in Asia anymore but I figured some skilled craftsman (or woman) could help me make some more awesome pants to spread around the Americas. Thanks to a friend in Honduras, I met Delcia. We picked out the materials together and she did a stellar job making the new pants based on the Thai styles I had.
While I was at Delcia’s shop, I took the opportunity to make some portraits for her family and a couple others who were hanging around.
All pants are available for sale on www.hippievanman.com/shop
I was driving around Panama City, Panama, photographing the buildings and graffiti. I ended up in a neighborhood, which I later learned was one of the most dangerous in Panama.
Within 30 seconds of stopping my car and getting out, two police officers walked up to me and told me, to get back in my car and leave, because the area was too dangerous.
I persuaded them to let me take a couple photos before leaving. They actually radioed for backup and within 2 minutes,two more officers arrived.
I took a few shots of the graffiti and some local kids playing soccer. A Panamanian woman walked up to me and started chatting with me. I decided to make a few portraits for her before leaving.
