TITLE: The Silence of the Forest: Portraits of Bairro Bombas (O Silêncio da Mata: Retratos de Bairro Bombas)

In the hushed embrace of the São Paulo's forest, the quilombo of Bairro Bombas whispers stories of resilience, heritage, and a fading way of life. This collection of black and white portraits unveils the faces of its remaining 66 residents, each a testament to the community's dwindling numbers from a once vibrant 300.
The forest's silence amplifies the voices within these images, capturing the strength, wisdom, and quiet dignity etched onto the faces of those who call this place home. Each portrait is a brushstroke in a visual memoir, preserving a legacy that transcends the encroaching silence.
"The Silence of the Forest: Portraits of Bairro Bombas" is more than a photographic document; it is an act of remembrance. It honours the ancestral roots of a community deeply connected to the land, while acknowledging the uncertain future they face. These images invite us to listen to the stories etched on each face, to hear the echoes of laughter and resilience, and to cherish the voices that defy the encroaching silence of the forest.

AUTHOR: Tiago Cabrita (Germany)

I'm a Photographer and Visual Effects artist, currently based in Stuttgart, Germany. Having a long lasting passion for both the outdoors and cameras, it is only natural that both things would come together in Photography. With a degree in architecture and having spent the past 6 years working in the film industry, I'm now dedicating more and more time to photography as a way to come closer to people, find relevant subjects and document stories in my own creative way.