TITLE: the child gaze

They say my eyes already belong to a woman, even though my heart still plays like that of a child. I feel the voices of my mother and grandmother.
When we look into her eyes, we do not only see a face. We see dignity, history, resilience – and a quiet reminder to preserve what connects us all: the diversity of humankind. And in her gaze lies that quiet power of those who know where they come from — and where they are meant to go. She is a daughter of Senu fulanis – a culture that carries the rhythm of grasslands within.

AUTHOR: Philipp Schmieja (Germany)

Self-taught photographer and passionate traveler. I discovered my passion for photography during traveling African countries. I had developed a fascination for tribes. This has been underpinned by my passion for photography. Tribal people are those who have unique customs. They often have a symbiotic bond with the environments in which they live. I am using photography as a medium to capture candid moments as well as community spirit and portraits. And in that moment, through my lens, I am seeking to portray the soul of the places by blending intimate people photography with striking imagery of cultural heritage.