Juan Diego Reyes
Like so many others around the country I felt compelled to take part in the protests that were sparked by the murder of George Floyd. I remember watching the video in the backseat of my partner’s car as feelings of rage and deep sadness came over me. A frenzy of thoughts and questions flowing rapidly through my mind – This is so wrong. What happens now? What can I do? Enough is enough. This must stop.
It seems like the media and people’s attention are mainly focused on the conflict, violence, drama, and chaos that surround us. Though I believe those perspectives can be important to include, it often feels like they do more damage than good by continuing to expand narratives that lead to more division and separation between us. I want my work to contribute a different perspective, a more human one, rooted in tenderness and vulnerability.
As a photographer, my first instinct is to grab my camera and document. But being a photographer and taking pictures doesn’t define me. It is how I chose to show up in the world, as a human, that does. And so, it was this idea that I carried with me when I began documenting the protests in Asheville, NC. In the process, I realized that to fully embody this idea I want to continue showing up for my community, giving my time, listening, learning, and hopefully creating meaningful work along the way.
During a week of protests, I witnessed a lot of anger, pain, despair, shame, and sorrow. But I also felt and saw this community come together in solidarity, showing up in Love, caring for and supporting one another. I saw young black women and men at the forefront of the movement, leaning into the pain and anger, gracefully stepping in the shoes of the elders that came before them. I witnessed people listening, really listening, to the voices of black people speaking their truths and sharing insight into their daily realities. I saw people of all ages, races, and gender identities showing up in unity, standing with one another, and marching side by side. Being a witness to all of this has left me with a sense of clarity and hope -- that together we might have a chance of making real change.
Juan Diego Reyes is a Colombian freelance photographer currently based in Asheville, NC. His work explores themes of cultural history, folklore and mythology, climate change, and conservation.
He migrated to the U.S. with his family at the age of nine, where the challenges of assimilating into two cultures began shaping his view of the world and inspired his curiosity about different cultures, peoples, and places. It is this endless search for genuine connection and understanding that fuels his passion for photography and visual storytelling.
He first picked up a camera after graduating from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Environmental Design, at which time he began documenting his travels and climbing adventures. This promptly led to a desire to use photography as the main form of expression and exploration in his life. As a result, the evolution of his work is diverse and wide-ranging in subject matter and genre, while maintaining a high standard for creating work that is unique and honest.
In the fall of 2019 he began a three-year Advanced Mentored Studies Program under the mentorship of Ed Kashi, member of the VII Photo Agency, and James Estrin, staff photographer for The New York Times and co-founder of Lens. In 2020, he was awarded a Regional Artist Project Grant by the North Carolina Arts Council. He is an educator and expedition leader with National Geographic Student Expeditions.