Faces of Central America
The first portrait I took on my trip might have been the best one. Man in Belize.

The Faces of Central America

From Belize all the way down to the Darien Jungle, Central America is full of colourful and interesting people.

The beauty of Central America is the diversity in background. Yes, most people look at the region and think it to be entirely “Latino” but the truth is that there is so much more at work than that.

Along the Caribbean Coast of Central America, in places like Belize, the Honduran Islands and Coastal Panama, the population is made up in large part from African descendants, many of which speak English and Creole first. In the highlands of Guatemala and Honduras the population is almost entirely indigenous made up of a mix of different backgrounds, but primarily Maya.

Throughout the region there is also an influx of Asian, Middle Eastern and, of course, European people. This diversity in backgrounds is what make the faces of Central America so interesting.

I have compiled a photo essay on the faces of Central America. My photography goal for my quick trip across Central America was to begin doing more portrait and people photography. At the same time, I wanted my images to look raw and unplanned. I wanted the images to have a little bit more life that usual. At the end of the day, I wish I had spent a little bit more time on the project, and I wish I had a little bit more courage to ask people for photos, but I am really happy with a couple of the images, and I hope you enjoy them.

Photos of The People of Central America

Faces of Central America
The first portrait I took on my trip might have been the best one. Man in Belize.
Belize Woman
I bought a bracelet for friend from this lady on Caye Caulker, Belize.
Guatamalan Lady
This lady sold me an alarm clock for 1US$. It still works.
Guatamalan Girl
A girl confused by my camera.
Flower vendor
A flower vendor at the Chichicastenango Market covering her head from the sun.
Young maya girl
A young Maya girl. Let me take a picture because I was nice to their dog.
Grandma maya
The young girl’s aunt.
Girl and Aunt
The girl and her aunt.
Young maya girl
This was probably the most friendly girl in the world. She was selling honey coated peanuts (how could I resist), but stuck around to chat for a while.
San Blas Woman
An indigenous woman from the San Blas Islands in Puerto Obaldia, Panama
Copan
The faces don’t have to be people. A stone carving at the Copan Ruins.
Colombian Lady
This lady was hilarious, wanted me to take sexy photos of her to put on a dating website to find a white husband. Then told me not to tell her husband her plan.
Kids
These girls, just on the Colombian side of the border with Panama, told me they wanted me to take their picture so they can become Ms. Colombia someday.
Colombian Profile
This girl told me to mail her this picture, but didn’t know her own address.
Colombian kids
These two guys ran all over town trying to get my attention for photos. Ok guys, here’s your moment in the limelight.
Colombian Kid
What a poser.
Colombian Kids
This girl wanted me to take a picture of her little cousin… cute.