The Boys of Fais

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Micronesia | Sunday, October 17, 2010 | 4 photos

I am a junior at the University of Connecticut. Cultural anthropology is my major, and it has been my passion for the last three years. A Graduate Student at the University of Connecticut took me along as a research assistant this past summer, to conduct research on subsistence practices in Micronesia. This was an entirely unpaid job, but a tremendously rewarding one in terms of anthropological field experience. It was the first time I had ever heavily photo documented a society I knew so little about, and for the eight weeks spent on Fais Island I was an outsider with a camera and a notepad. Fais Island has a population of three hundred people. They rely heavily on fishing and horticulture for sustenance. I spent a great deal of time observing. Unable to speak much of the language, I would often take a big step back and photograph the seemingly trivial moments of everyday life. I found myself wandering the beaches, and on one stormy afternoon I came across young boys fishing on the shore. I was just blown away by their demeanor. They exuded such confidence and It was these moments that I felt were the most honest, and the most important to share. I have had a taste of travel, and I have played the role of “photojournalist” but there are no words to describe my utmost desire to truly learn the techniques necessary to excel. On Fais Island, I discovered that while I remain passionate about Anthropology, I want nothing more than to travel the world, or my neighborhood, and photograph the extraordinary diversity of life.