Abre La Boca Photo documents the stories of marginalized communities and the work of grassroots community organizations and activist groups that empower them. It is about respecting the dignity and voice of oppressed people. It is about elevating grassroots efforts that build power and win real tangible systemic change.
Abre La Boca Photo (ALB Photo) is not a wedding, fashion, or product photography company. With over 17 years of community organizing experience, ALB Photo is deeply rooted in the movement and specializes in uplifting the stories our community wants and needs to tell.
Isn’t this the type of documentarian that our community deserves? Isn’t someone who understands what it means to build community and is committed to elevating its voice the person you want documenting your work?
If your answer is yes, then Abre La Boca Photo is who you want to hire!
Contact me, to see how we can work together.
“Open your mouth, if you want to be heard!”
Hi, i’m Héctor Vaca Cruz. I am a Latino documentary photographer based in Charlotte NC. Born in New York and raised in South Carolina, I am of Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican heritage.
“Abre la boca, para que te escuchen” is a motto by which I have lived my whole life. It means open your mouth, if you want to be heard.
As the son of immigrants living in the south, I grew up understanding what it means to feel different, like you don’t fit in. These experiences instilled in me a deep appreciation of the value of speaking up in order to be heard.
Through photography, I explore the themes of privilege, immigration, racism, nationalism, colorism, classism, and identity. I make my images, to spark dialogue, in order to better understand these issues and find solutions. More importantly, my photos give a voice to those who have felt stifled by a society based on privilege, prejudice, and oppression.
After having worked the past 18 years as a community organizer, I have developed a deep appreciation for the stories our community has to tell and the need for avenues for it to speak up. So, I decided to open Abre La Boca Photo.
Photo credit: Ernesto Moreno Photography
Photo courtesy of Ernesto Moreno Photography