New York Times: Marco Flores

I photographed Marco Flores at Souza Baranowski Correctional Center, the only maximum security prison in Massachusetts, for New York Times. Marco was incarcerated for 13 years & was recently released to an immigration detention center, where he faces possible deportation back to El Salvador which he left when he was 6. When I was asked to go on this assignment, I knew I needed to approach this thoughtfully and with empathy. I wanted these photos to be made collaboratively with Marco. As I learned more about the events he endured in his life (being sexually abused by a trusted authority figure, the details of a teenage Marco murdering his abuser to protect a younger family member, and then being under a maximum security prison with risk of deportation), the concept of agency & control for Marco in these photos was the most important aspect to me.

I wanted to make these images primarily on film, and involve Marco by asking him to take his own self portraits with an air cable release, so he could present himself as he wanted to be seen. This was a small gesture I could offer for him to claim that brings a lot of layered meaning to a life he rarely has control over.

Hoping the discourse around this gives much needed attention to Marco & allows him to stay in the US with his wife and family, and build a life on his terms. Read the story here to learn more details about all the nuanced US laws that impact cases like this.

Reporting by: Maria Cramer
Editor: Jennifer Mosbrucker