Some of the people we encountered in Kosovo stayed with me. Photographically there were two that hit me. The family living across the street from the brown coal plant was difficult for me. The Mother of two was telling us that she was happy there, and did not want to leave Kosovo, although her family was living on 70 Euro per month. I was able to make her portrait with her house and the plant behind her. The smile on her face made the image more surreal to me.
Meheteme B. (25) and hr children Ermonda (4) Ermond (2) standing in their garden
As a consequence of so many families leaving, many of Kosovo’s schools are missing chunks of their student body. Some teachers are worried about what this will do to the children that get uprooted this way.
Teacher Enver I ( 61)
There was one teacher I was able to take aside and spend time one on one to make his portrait. I took him in to a classroom where light from the setting sun was gently radiating in. I asked him to sit on the desk, where there was a green blackboard full of writing behind him. I was shooting the A7ii with the 85mm Ai-s between 1.4 and 2.0.
Teacher Enver I( 61) sitting in an empty classroom after school
Just look at his face. It tells so many stories, and is so open and dignified.
