Kogui Village on the north face of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta – Magdalena Department – Colombia

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta was the backdrop for this photo, taken during a private workshop that felt more like an expedition—equal parts exhilaration and trepidation. One of my favorite moments? A participant who, despite her fear of chickens, found herself living among them, as if we’d stumbled into an eagle’s nest… if eagles were replaced by clucking, fluttering locals.

Workshops like these shift my usual rhythm. Here, the focus isn’t on capturing every moment myself but on guiding my students to create something meaningful while respecting the community we’re visiting. I step back, giving them space to frame their own memories. But this family—their warmth, their quiet dignity—was impossible to ignore. So I broke my own rule, just for a few snaps. Sometimes, beauty demands to be met with a lens, even if only briefly. It’s a delicate balance: honoring the people who welcome us while preserving the fleeting magic of their world.