aconica

I am a woman, a creator, an artist, a photographer, and iphoneographer. I want to participate. I want to be seen. Most of what you see here will be what I SEE, things in everyday life that catch my attention and move me to capture a moment.

[aconica]

I have such appreciation for the daily life I see on the streets of Havana. Normal to see people, (well generally men) walking down the street with fish, chickens, goats, pigs, dogs, pigeons, or even ducks. Sometimes for food, sometimes for sale, sometimes for religious practices. #havana #cubanculture #hipstamtic #hipstamaticmagic (at Centro Habana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CrOOUQkuArT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

I am going to guess that I started using Hipstamatic in 2012. One of my favorite things about Hipstamatic is sometimes an image just doesn’t quite work and then I stumble across an edit that makes it just right. This is definitely one of those shots. #hipstamatic HEMA + US1776 #shotoniphone #barbershop #cubanculture (at Centro Habana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq_Pberv3Zo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

I don’t get outside of Havana as much as I should. Last trip I was exploring new restaurants and ended up walking through Miramar. The architecture still puts you in the 1950’s, overall I would say the condition of the buildings is better than Centro, but still ROUGH. What you do see is green! There’s plants and flowers and some trees and it feels nice to see some green. #havana #mirimarhavana #cubanculture #hipstamatic #iphoneonly (at Miramar, Havana) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq-rHl_uj3k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

I ALMOST didn’t go! I had no idea where I was going, and as I walked up the back side of Saint Patrick Cathedral I couldn’t have been any more surprised! This little series was taken off the side steps of the church. There was a group of maybe 15 that were ALL IN on there Easter Parade Pride ! #easterparadenyc #easterbonnetparade #vintageclothing #snapseed #iphoneonly (at St. Patrick's Cathedral) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq5jjaFsMfI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

Maybe an odd choice for my first Easter Parade post but I kind of like how the nostalgic feel connects to Cuba. As a 2nd time new New Yorker I haven’t had any luck with the parades and large events. We’ll now I know !!! The Easter Parade is my thang !!! #nyceasterbonnetparade #easterparadenyc #timeless #iphoneonly #snapseed #portraits (at St. Patrick's Cathedral) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq5iilXsUVj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

This is a SERIOUS game of marbles taking place on the streets of Centro Habana. I love that all ages participate, I would say we have 8 - 30 YO in this game. There’s one guy, closer to 30 and he has all the marbles. The younger kids are loosing their marbles to him quickly. The younger kids have stacks of cigarette box casings. They represent some sort of currency or maybe bragging rights ? I was trying to tell if the kids were buying marbles with the cigarette box currency but I couldn’t tell. @edubatista93 can the kids buy marbles with this currency? #streetphotography #womenstreetphotographers #centrohabana #cubanculture #blackandwhitephotography (at Centro Habana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqqVWcyJW6V/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

So unmistakably CUBA. I love that about Havana. It’s so undeniably itself. You instantly know exactly where this is and I don’t think it could be mistaken for anywhere else. I crave these streets when I’m not there. The heartache and struggle is very real, most of the people would do just about anything to leave. I on the other hand can’t wait to go back. But of course I can leave when ever I want. I tell my friends that when they leave they will miss, and of course there are parts they do and parts they don’t. #havana #cubanculture #classiccar #streetohotography #womenstreetphotographers (at Centro Habana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqlAJRPuHOV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

“Gun show” 😅 I don’t know if you remember me mentioning that last May there were no domino games to be found in Havana. I was truly heart broken, such a huge piece of Cuban culture, MISSING ! I’m happy to report that they are returning. Not quite back to normal, it pretty close. This shot is from 2017, I came across it this week and loved the memory. #havana #cuba #cubanculture #streetphotography (at Havana, Havana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqinfboJEQr/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

The first pic is usually at a distance, then I watch and wait to see if anyone’s bothered by me. From there I I feel more like a cat as opposed to a Golden Retriever. I make eye contact, I move slowly, I point at my camera and nod with a question on my face. More often than not I get a nod and am dismissed. (Ya know cats sometimes prefer that:-) What I love about my camera is that it’s not intimidating to the subject. What I love about Cuba is more often than not people are welcoming and want to share something about themselves, their homes, or what they’re doing. The good shots usually come after the nod. A few days ago I spoke of moving slowly, taking your time, learning about a new culture. As far as being a street photographer and a slow traveler I think this time allows for more meaningful experiences. #ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟᴘʜᴏᴛᴏɢʀᴀᴘʜʏ #havanacuba #bakery #iphoneonly #photographyworkshop (at Habana Vieja) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqdYLe0Ompp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

Life from the streets in Havana #streetphotography #womenstreetphotographers #cubancuture #iphoneonly #snapseed (at Habana Vieja) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqa4Vz-uwfj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

Last month I hosted my first private tour of Havana. This is a new way of doing things for me. Both Noelle and Mark had an interest in photography but they were unsure about it being the sole focus of the trip. I’m not gonna say that this type of trip will work for everyone but I can say it worked for Mark and Noelle. They learned that by having photography as a focus it requires you to slow down and absorb your surroundings a bit more. You learn so much by standing on a corner waiting for THE SHOT with THE LIGHT. You learn about how people interact within a City, a community and an environment that is not at all what they were accustomed to. You become a witness, and as Noelle has shared. it can be a transformative experience. I can say from experience the transformation usually surprises people. Looking for transformation? Is Havana on your mind? Let me know if it is, I’ll host your week in Havana. 🤍💙❤️ 🇨🇺 #havanacuba #slowtravel #adventuretravel #photographyeveryday #photosafari #hiphavana #havananow (at Centro Habana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqYoO_NPQWQ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

Spring sunset walks in Havana are just about as good as it gets. Sadly the warmth in the light was from crappy air. There were an unusual amount of grass fires and trash burning when I arrived. It improved by the time I left, but it’s always sad to see. #havanacuba #streetphotography #womenstreetphotographers #magichour #centrohavana (at Centro Habana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqOzqqMpCyU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

I could have spent a couple hours shooting stride buys in front of this wall. This is the only shot I have, I must’ve been trying to get from A to B when I walked past this one. I am in the process of learning a lot more about the graffiti artist in Havana right now. What I can tell you is that I’ve seen more new graffiti in the last year and Havana and I had in the previous five put together. #cubanculture #havanacuba #streetart #graffitiart #streetphotography (at Havana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJy6XdJu78/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

You don’t see a lot of Mercedes on the streets of Havana. I would have loved to see this car in its prime. It’s a little hard to tell but I think it was gold. #havana #havanavieja #streetsofhavana #cubanculture (at Habana Vieja) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqIwLbjuhgq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

It’s so beautiful! It’s filled with unfairness, I’ve never come across people that inspire me more. It’s almost impossible to make sense of or even come close to digesting the streets of Havana. #cubanculture #streetkids #streetart #centrohavana #paintedwallshavana (at Centro Habana, Cuba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqGMkkDuu8s/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

I love the hands on the hips ! Cuban women of all ages stand with their weight slightly tilted and one hand on their hip. This starts when they learn to stand. I know I know all women do this, but in my opinion Cuban women do it better than all the rest of us ! #havana #cubanculture #womenstreetphotographers #hiphavana (at Habana Vieja) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqF51JvODL6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aconica]

I’m missing Cuba, I’m missing the people and my friends and all the smiles. I’ve photographed this gentlemen for years, I’m so happy to see him up and about. I give him a smooch everyday and he always has a sweet smile for me. His life his rough, but he’s up everyday, trying to sell a pair of boots and surviving another hellacious decade in Cuba. #lifeincuba #centrohavana #cubanculture #iphoneportrait https://www.instagram.com/p/CqEtM50ufN7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=