16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Solar Portrait in Love

Faustina Flores Carranza (66) and her husband Juan Astudillo Jesus (63) sit in their solar-lit home in San Luis Acatlán, Guerrero, Mexico. Faustina and Juan have seven children and have been together for 48 years. Like many members of the Mixteca indigenous community, they have never had access to electricity. When asked how having solar light has impacted their lives, Faustina said: ''For the first time, we are able to look at each other in the eyes in our moments of intimacy.''

This photo is a finalist in the People category of our 16th Annual Photo Contest. See all 60 finalists here.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2017
Date Uploaded: 10.2018
Photo Location: San Luis Acatlán, Guerrero, Mexico
Copyright: © Ruben escudero
Awards
Photo of the Day: 10.19.18
Editor's Pick
Finalist