15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Cuban girl on seawall in Old Havana, Cuba

While pulling my camera from my backpack, I saw two women and a young girl walking over to our table. One of the women asked my trip leader if we were professional photographers. She smiled, pointed at me, and said, “He is.” The stranger continued on to explain; her niece, Talia, would be turning 15 in a month. The Quinceanera, which signifies the transition of a girl from childhood to adulthood, is an important celebration in Spanish speaking countries. They wanted to schedule a time for a photoshoot, but we informed them we were just tourists and would be leaving the town the next day. I suggested a practice shoot. Talia and I walked over to the sea wall overlooking an abandoned shipping yard. I asked in Spanish, “Do you speak English?” She shook her head no.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2017
Date Uploaded: 11.2017
Photo Location: Havana, Cuba
Camera: Canon EOS 80D
Copyright: © Steven Nye