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Mexican photographer Diego Huerta shows a couple of images to a huasteca potosina woman. Image: @diegohuertaphoto 
 
Mexican photographer Diego Huerta shows a couple of images to a huasteca potosina woman. Image: @diegohuertaphoto 

 

A snapshot of Mexico’s indigenous cultures

A journey to capture 31,000 'Portraits for Peace' led photographer Diego Huerta to his current photography project. Through “Native Nation” he aims to preserve…

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With a striking presence and  visual style that grabs one’s attention, the work of Mexican photographer Diego Huerta captures the admiration and curiosity of those who follow his career.

For the last few years Huerta has profiled dozens of native communities throughout Mexico showcasing the vast cultural diversity across the country. Tribes with ancient history that are largely characterized by social marginalization and challenges.

Through other photography projects such as “31K Portraits for Peace,” “Oaxaca Desde Adentro,” “Los Pastores” and “El Pueblo de las Nubes,” Huerta came to work on “Native Nation.” A compilation of images and portraits that will allow future generations, not only in Mexico but throughout the world, to preserve and value the importance of these communities.

"I realized how important it is to photograph them because many have virtually no records," Huerta said. "Especially in the north of the country, there are villages with fewer than 50 people with no record of their traditions or their customs. And it is very unfortunate because they are sadly destined to disappear."

 

Photo: Diego Huerta
 

"I am very interested and invested in learning about these cultures, not only as Mexican, but beyond that, as a human being," the photographer said. "Each village has its history, each has its charm. And that is what makes this country great: Its diversity."

In terms his technique, Huerta mentioned he avoids taking pictures on the spot. He first likes to connect with those who are in front of his lens and find the time and right place to take the shot.

"I'm not looking to capture something that is happening at the moment. I like to get to know the person, learn their history. [In order to] communicate and exchange views," Huerta said. "This way I have a story to tell."

“Sometimes you need to cross mountains, and lakes, walk day and night. There are times that you spend all of your energy for one portrait. But at the end of the day, everything’s worth it,” Diego Huerta

Photo: Diego Huerta
 

"I'm not looking to capture something that is happening at the moment. I like to get to know the person, learn their history. [In order to] communicate and exchange views," Huerta said. "This way I have a story to tell."

As he describes it, an expression or a look can become the main focus of the image. "I want people to fall in love with these communities and their diversity," he added.

However, within the richness of their heritage there are also the staggering needs and challenges many indigenous communities face. A social dispersion that dates back to colonial times has kept many groups marginalized.

 

Photo: Diego Huerta
 

"Society itself has made them feel that way. There is a rejection. Not only [for Mexicans] outside of Mexico. It is a rejection of the Mexican in its own country, and that is something we need to be aware of," Huerta said. "Whenever we talk about racism we think about the United States and how it affects our own people in that country. But here nobody talks about the racism of Mexicans towards indigenous Mexicans.”

Huerta has had a very clear purpose for the project from the beginning. To create a collection of work that shows the greatness of native cultures.

"Something that enables us as society respect and value them," Huerta said. "To look at them again, but not with a critical eye or rejection, but with a view of acceptance and pride."

Through the process, he explains that photo opportunities don’t just fall on his lap, but instead, half the work is finding them. He has invested himself in locating the remote areas where each of these groups are located, going into jungles, deserts and documenting every step of his  journey.

 

Photo: Diego Huerta
 

Capturing each of his photographs has meant traveling through Mexico with limited resources [for the most part, out of his own pocket]. This means paying for transportation, food and lodging which many times can be in a tent.

“Sometimes you need to cross mountains, and lakes, walk day and night. There are times that you spend all of your energy for one portrait. But at the end of the day, everything’s worth it," he said.

‘I fell in love with photography by accident’

Originally from Monterrey, in the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, Huerta’s foray into photography happened by accident. At age 15, he left home to move to Mexico City, not “to rebel," but “to learn new things."

 

Photo: Diego Huerta
 

His first job opportunity came at the iconic Reforma newspaper, however not in the photo department, but in the sales department.

“At the paper I tried to learn from everyone. I particularly observed photographers as they came and went at night," Huerta said.

By assisting other photographers covering crime scenes after-hours he learned the basics while on the job.

"It was a different time. Today, I don’t think a 15-year-old boy would be allowed to accompany after-hours photographers at two in the morning, but I was fortunate. I schooled myself just by watching them," Huerta said.

He fell in love with the profession and more than a decade later, he believes his path as a photographer has taught him to appreciate what he has and has given meaning to his profession.

Currently, Huerta launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the publication of a book, in English and Spanish, that would compile both personal anecdotes and showcase the images.

 

Through this project he hopes to create an archive that will empower native cultures, and if the campaign is successful, share copies of the book with the different communities so they can keep them in their own institutions.

"So they themselves can see and be proud of their roots. It's time to recognize them and give them the credit they deserve,” he concluded.

For more information about “Native Nation” or if you want to support the campaign visit Kickstarter.

You can also follow his Instagram account @diegohuertaphoto or go to his Facebook page.  Facebook.com/diegohuertaphotographer/.

 

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