Bienvenidos, mi gente, to another episode of Sombra y Cultura! I’m your host, Chris, bringing you stories, knowledge, and a deep dive into the legendary figures who have shaped the world of photography, especially within our Latino and Hispanic communities.

Today, we shine the light on one of Mexico’s most celebrated photographers—Graciela Iturbide. If you don’t know her name yet, I promise you, by the end of this episode, you’ll feel her presence, her vision, and her deep, poetic connection to culture,identity, and humanity.

Grab your cafecito, get comfortable, and let’s explore the world through Iturbide’s lens.

Graciela Iturbide was born in 1942 in Mexico City, a time when photography wasn’t necessarily considered a path for women. Yet, she found herself drawn to the art form, not just as a means of documenting reality but as a way of interpreting it—of feeling it.

Her journey into photography wasn’t immediate. She originally pursued film studies at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), but her path changed when she became an apprentice to Manuel Álvarez Bravo, a master of Mexican photography.This mentorship shaped her philosophy of capturing images—not just as static moments but as poetic, layered narratives.

Iturbide’s photography is deeply personal. She once expressed that she never wanted to be just a documentary photographer—she wanted to capture the poetry of life through her camera. That sentiment alone tells us how she approaches her work—not just as an observer, but as a storyteller.

Let me ask you, what does photography mean to you? If you’re a photographer, do you see yourself as a documentarian, a poet, or something else? Hit me up on my contact page and share your thoughts—I’d love to feature some of your responses in a future episode!

Graciela Iturbide’s work is raw, yet elegant—haunting, yet full of life. She focuses on themes of death, rituals, and identity. Some of her most famous photographs feature indigenous communities in Mexico, especially the Seri people of the Sonoran Desert and the Zapotec women of Juchitán.

Her series Juchitán de las Mujeres is one of her most well-known works, capturing the strength and independence of the Zapotec women. One of her most iconic images from this series is Nuestra Señora de las Iguanas (photo below)—a portrait of a Zapotec woman wearing a crown of live iguanas. It’s a surreal, powerful representation of feminine strength, tradition, and resilience.

Pause for a moment and picture that—imagine a woman standing tall, looking straight into the camera, with iguanas resting atop her head like a crown. It’s more than a photo; it’s a statement.

This image, Nuestra Señora de las Iguanas, is arguably her most famous and widely recognized work. It has been featured in exhibitions around the world, printed in books,and continues to inspire new generations of photographers.

Now, imagine if you had to capture a single image that defines your culture, your essence—what would it be? Think about that, and if you have an answer, let’s talk about it, contact me on my page!

Beyond her striking images, Graciela Iturbide has contributed significantly to the photography world. Her work challenges traditional documentary photography by blending reality with symbolism. She has been a mentor to many aspiring photographers,particularly women in Latin America, proving that photography isn’t just a technical craft but a means of self-expression and cultural dialogue.

Her work has expanded the boundaries of Mexican photography, bringing indigenous and marginalized communities to the fore front of artistic discourse. She has influenced countless visual artists,demonstrating that photography can be deeply personal yet universally impactful.

Despite her undeniable talent and legacy, Iturbide’s name isn’t as widely known outside the photography world as it should be. Why? Well, part of the reason is that the art world—and particularly the photography industry—has long been dominated by male photographers from North America and Europe. While she has received prestigious awards, her work hasn't been commercialized in the same way as some of her male contemporaries.

Another reason could be that her work focuses on deeply cultural and regional themes, which might not always fit into the mainstream, Western-centric narratives of photography. But this is exactly why we need to celebrate her more—because her perspective is invaluable, and her work is a testament to the beauty and complexity of Latin American culture.

Iturbide doesn’t just take pictures—she listens to the land, the people, and their stories. Her work often captures spirituality in ways that are both intimate and grand.

For example, her series Los Que Viven en la Arena documents the Seri people of Mexico’s northern desert. She didn’t just arrive and start clicking away. She spent time with them, learning their ways, understanding their traditions, respecting their space. Only then did she lift her camera. And that’s a lesson for all of us—great photography isn’t about taking a picture; it’s about giving respect to the moment.

What’s a moment in your life that you wish you had captured, but didn’t? Or one that you did capture, and it turned into something more than you expected? Let me know—your stories are just as important as the legends we discuss here.

Graciela Iturbide’s work has been exhibited all over the world. She’s won prestigious awards,including the Hasselblad Award, often called the Nobel Prize of photography. But beyond the accolades, her true legacy lies in the way her images make us feel.

She teaches us that photography isn’t just about what’s in the frame—it’s about what lingers in our minds after we look away. Her work forces us to ask questions about culture,gender, and spirituality.

And if that’s not the sign of a legendary photographer, I don’t know what is.

So what can we take from Graciela Iturbide’s journey?

She shows us that photography is more than an art form—it’s a way of life, a means of connection,a tool for storytelling. Her work reminds us to slow down, to observe, and to respect the stories that unfold around us.

Before we wrap up, I want to hear from YOU. Leave a review, share this episode with someone who loves photography, and if you haven’t already, check out my work here. You’ll find my latest projects, behind-the-scenes stories, and maybe even a new favorite photo.

And remember, Sombra y Cultura is all about keeping these storiesalive. So make sure you’re subscribed, because next time, we’ll dive into another legend who helped shape the way we see the world through photography.

Until then, keep capturing, keep questioning, and keep celebrating our culture—both in front of and behind the lens.

This has been Sombra y Cultura. Nos vemos en la próxima.