Panama Prints

Just out of curiosity are you viewing this on your phone? Maybe a tablet? Computer?

Before you start, no I'm not a psychic but I am a photographer.

So, why am I asking this? What do all these devices have in common?

If you said a camera, you are correct!

Years ago, I realized the power that photography has on people's lives. It wasn't until I joined the U.S. Peace Corps and arrived in the community of Dos Aguas, Panama that I noticed these impacts. Growing up in the 90s we were regularly whisked off to the local mall for photos. Kids sitting on Santa's or the Easter Bunny's lap. Birthday parties, vacations, holidays, the list goes on, but we grew up surrounded by cameras. Polaroid, Kodak, Canon, Nikon, Blackberry, iPhone. As time progressed that only accelerated with the invention of cellphones and digital cameras. We all have access to a camera, even now as I speak it’s within arm’s reach.

It wasn’t long after arriving in Panama that I noticed something was missing. The mountains of photo albums that rest upon our bookshelves, the frames that line our walls and mantlepieces, relatives long gone, the baby pictures that your parents embarrass you with in front of your friends. Imagine not having any of those.

When I arrived in Panama with my handful of photos, reminders of the life I had left back in the states I discovered a privilege I had never known. I found that the majority of the community had never had a formal family portrait taken. Not only was it unaffordable it wasn’t feasible. Dos Aguas is a town of roughly 75 people, somewhat accessible if the roads don’t flood or the bridges don’t get washed away, average daily income sits around $8.00, so it’s clear the reason why.

To give you an idea, one example that sticks with me is my host sister, Karolina Rivas (18 at the time) only had a government ID with a photo of herself at age five. Since leaving in 2020 Karolina has married and has a child, her grandfather Francisco passed away in recent years, and several of her siblings have families of their own. Even though it's only been a couple of years a lot has changed. One such case was the passing of Benita Rodriguez, a dear friend, her daughter still has some of the prints of her late mother.

This coming year I'll be heading back to my old site with cameras in hand to repeat the Panama Prints project . All donations are going exclusively to pay for the printing, laminating, and shipping/delivery of images back to the community. Any donations are a huge help!

Cost Breakdown:

Total Cost: $1,018.02

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Elijah Wittum Photography

Thank you,

Eli