This photo of two boys getting ready for carnival in southern Haiti was taken by 22-year-old Jean Paul Saint Fleur. Jean Paul grew up in Kabik, a small beach town outside of Jacmel. Having grown up seeing tourists taking pictures of his community, he became curious about photography and joined FotoKonbit – a non-profit organization that teaches photography to youth and adults in Haiti. ‘I love photographing my community,’ he says, ‘and carnival is my favourite time of the year. Everyone is happy and there are colours everywhere. When I photographed these two boys in downtown Jacmel during carnival, there was action and partying all around them but they were as still as statues.’
FotoKonbit students like Jean Paul use photography to explore and represent Haiti. The organization, which felt a sense of urgency for their work after the 2010 earthquake, also helps young photographers sell their photos, continue their education and start their own photography businesses.
