Born in Israel, 1977

2014-2016 Studied at the school of Visual Arts, NY

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When I came to Angola, in 2010, stills photography was new to me and it took a while for me to realize that the camera I now had was, in fact, serving me as a shield – guarding me from first hand contact with what seemed to me, at first, as terrible poverty and unsanitary conditions. Later on, through the photos I have taken and the relationships that followed, I began seeing the glory of Africa’s people, their rich culture and their pure joy of life itself, regardless the Western prejudices and conditioned way of thinking about that which is different.

For myself, I can say, my journey with the camera has taught me how to look at things from a different angle, a non-judgmental one, and enabled me to deepen relationships that would not have even been formed if it was not for the camera, protecting both sides; those in front of the lens and me, behind it.

You are welcome to take a look at my online gallery or, if you happen to be in NYC on, you are more than welcome to have a closer look at some of my photos, which will be presented in a different date that will be updated soon

Shiri p.Eshel Bio