1.24.09 – Soweto School Portraits

A young boy in Soweto, South Africa on his way home from school.

One of the best parts of being a traveling photographer is getting to interact with kids in so many different countries. This short series was taken in Soweto in late July. As three o’clock rolled round and the kids began their trek back home from school, I found myself in their midst – surrounded by some territorial first graders.

Once order was restored, and they saw that my spot on their turf was temporary, they were keen to get their portrait taken. With a mix of kids, the bigger ones were pushing their way to the front to try and be closest to the camera. Pulling out the inner drill seargant, I barked the rules.

“Hey! You all can get you’re pictures taken, but you have to line up and go one at a time. Otherwise I won’t do it.”

That wised them up and everyone got their fair shot. Hope you dig.