Bolivian Photo Studio

Studio portraiture is very popular among indigenous migrant workers from the western highlands in the tropical city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia.

In the Ex-terminal and Ramada quarters there are a number of studios that offer the local community a variety of photographic services, from ID pictures to more sophisticated forms of portraiture. The most requested service is the ‘Postal’, a postcard size full body portrait. Friendship, family bonds and individual identity are enacted before the camera and against a large variety of photo and painted backdrops with different props also available to everyone.

The gallery comprises images that were paid for, but never collected by their owners. They were part of the catalogs to show to prospective clients or stored to be eventually discarded.

London, 2006