The Beauty of Albinism: Why an Albinism Photography Project?

Delismar | 10 years old at the time | May 2016

As maybe you didn't know, since 2015 "World Albinism Awareness Day" is celebrated on June 13. So I chose a day like today to talk about this, quite timely and necessary in my opinion. As most of you know, I, as a photographer, am running a special photography project called "The Beauty of Albinism" Project, and every time I mention this initiative to people or post a promo on social media, the first thing they ask me when contacting me, or people close to me, is: "why are you doing this?" "What motivated you to do such a project?" These questions have motivated me to write this first blog, which although the answer is relatively simple, that simplicity comes from an inspiring story that has marked me and I want you to know about it all. Going back in time, during my childhood and teenage years I had the good fortune to meet children and teens with albinism at the school where I studied back in Santurce Puerto Rico. I made friends with a few of them, and for my part, they were treated like any other normal person in my life. During these years I met two sisters who, today, and since then, have been my best friends and allies, my "partners in crime", sisters for almost all my life. They are albino, something strange, right? I say that because not everyone has an albino best friend. In my case I have two, so I am doubly blessed.

Going from being school friends, I began to become part of their lives and family, as one more member of them. Did I mention that their mom is a person with albinism too? Yes, believe it or not. Three albinos in the same house, except for their father/husband of the family who is the only non-albino, super rare! In recent years I have been able to appreciate and witness their daily efforts as women and people in this society. How they strive to achieve their goals and be like any normal person, working, studying and having their own families. This is where my inspiration for this project comes from, for this reason this project has a lot of meaning for me as a photographer and as a person. They have stories that just simply cannot be kept quiet, and what a better way to do it through the art and service that I offer!

How Did The Idea Start? Well, to tell you the truth, it all started in college while I was doing my Bachelor's Degree. Since my minor was in photography, I had to hand in assignments as part of the courses, and guess who were my models most of the time! Well yes...my best friends, both very photogenic lol. They always agreed to my requests to model in front of my camera for class purposes. That also served as a reason to see each other and spend time together...since the distance of towns between us was great. In those times that I did the homeworks I said to myself: "I would like to take pictures of albino people", but there it remained...as a simple desire in my heart of which I did nothing to start, excluding the pictures of my friends for my photography classes. Just when I'm about to finish college, two months before graduating, I have an old school friend who is also albino, who insists that she wants professional pictures taken.

My good friend Astrid Nicolle, the first pictures taken for the project | April 2015

That's when I take the opportunity and say: "Ok... I have to do it, this is the time to start". I coordinate with my friend, I explain some simple wardrobe and makeup requi

rements and so I begin this great adventure one day in the month of April 2015. Of course, as you can imagine, my girls did them right after hers with no hesitation to support me. With those sessions done I quickly proceed to publish them and "get my hands on" the promotion through social media, and the rest is history...an unexpected growth and total support from lots of people around the island (this project started in Puerto Rico). It's already been seven years since I took the first picture for this project and we did nine photo sessions on the first year. Totally grateful for all of those people who supported this initiative from the beginning!

My best friends Stephanie and Yessenid | April 2015 A lot of things happened after that, but the biggest change was Hurricane Maria hitting the island with all its force. God had other plans and I moved to Florida one month after the disaster. Our photography business and the project, both were on an indefinite hold after that. I didn't even know if it could be done again, the place was completely different. Puerto Rico is considered the Capital of Albinism by the number of cases registered on the island (you can Google it), I wasn't sure if Florida would be a successful state for the project to emerge a second time. Long story short (it isn't short but thank you if you made it here lol) in 2020, after working in different places and in the mist of a pandemic, we decided to freelance again and start our photography business here in Central Florida. It has gone so well in the past two years! What can I say, everything has been and will always be for the Glory of God! Since the end of 2021 I felt in my heart (stronger than ever) to start the project again. This initiative means so much to me and that strong feeling made me the happiest! God Himself put this project in my heart for a reason and the fact that it isn't over fills it with so much joy. We went all for it: we created an official logo (something we didn't have before) and the full support of everyone makes it even more special. So here we are! Doing this again, different state but same essence!

Now, The Big Question...WHY? If you have read this far, I applaud you and I thank you! it means that you find the story interesting... I'll continue. Thanks to my best friends and their effort to be a better version of themselves every day, they have given me a great sense of admiration and respect for these people. Their desire to fight is endless, and their passion to achieve their goals drives them not to give up and keep going leaving footprints. That is definitely worth admiring! And so, just like them, I am aware that there are more people with albinism struggling to leave their mark as well, battling discrimination and lack of consideration from other people. As I mentioned in the previous section, there are 9 people on the project so far, from what we did in Puerto Rico, and each one of them has blown me away with their successful stories. Every time I meet an albino to photograph them, I like to talk with them between pictures and learn more about their lives, whether they are children or adults. It is impressive to see and know how each person is different despite sharing the same condition, how they struggle with it but face it with a positive attitude because they have proposed it that way...and of course, to see how parents of albino children raise them to be confident with themselves and teach them that if they put their minds to it they can conquer the world. I like that a lot to be honest, and I applaud them. Why Are The Photo Sessions Free Of Cost? Why are they free of cost? Simple: because I want all the people with albinism to participate in it, because I want to donate my art to those I admire the most, because God put this project in my heart and I know that many have been and will be blessed through this: babies, children, teens, adults, seniors, women, men, all all ALL albinos are welcome!

Naturally and somehow expected, many people opposed to this saying that it was a waste of time and money; hat I would loose more than what I gain. In some way they are right, financially I am not earning much, but what I earn from this is more satisfying and rewarding than money: raising my voice for a community that has had a hard time doing it and showing in pictures the true selves of those who have had to "put a mask on" to fit into society and be accepted by others.

Gabriel Mejía | January 2016

My goal is that this initiative continues to grow, that it gets to people and places I never thought it would. That it be known by everyone and that every albino in every corner of Florida be a part of it. That a simple wish of my heart be great and cross borders...I want to be an agent of change, carry a message, contribute a grain of sand so that these people are great and see that they are not alone on this path. That is why this project was created, so that we can all be great together. I can go on and say more, but I think I have written enough for now. Thank you for taking your time to read this blog from beginning to end! it means a lot. I promise you it won't be the first nor last...If you loved this blog please share it with your loved ones and give your opinion on it, your positive contributions will be more than welcome. The only thing left to say is that if you know a person with albinism or you are one, don't hesitate to contact us so that you can be a part of the movement! Like I said, the sessions are free. Just say yes and join to be part of the change. Blessings! © Yamayra Vega | YVega Photography

"Photography is an art, let us be your artist!"