16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
John y Juan

This photo captures the friendship created between a 20-year-old American college student and 45-year-old Mexican construction worker. I spent the summer volunteering in Tijuana, Mexico building homes throughout the community. Over the course of two months, Juan Manuel & I developed a special, close friendship. Behind his beautiful smile, I learned his incredible backstory, deportation from the United States, family struggles, and dreams for a better life. Now more than ever, I believe it is important we look deeper into understanding other people's life experiences and remember we are all humans.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2018
Photo Location: Tijuana, Mexico, Mexico
Copyright: © John Touloupis