Faces of Heritage is an ongoing portrait project exploring the cultural roots of people living in the United States. Each image reflects the connection between a person and their heritage — the traditions, memories, and symbols that become part of identity and self-expression.
Even when living far from their homeland, people carry pieces of their culture within them. Through portraiture, I explore how these connections appear visually — in clothing, objects, posture, and quiet details that speak about belonging.
This project continues to grow as I photograph people from different cultures, honoring the diversity of stories that shape who we are.
This is Maanasa. Born in India, she grew up in the United States, carrying both cultures as part of her identity.
This is Bhu. Born in India, raised in the United Kingdom, and now living and teaching art in the United States. Her Indian heritage is a strong and meaningful part of her multicultural identity.
This is Karen. She was born and raised in California. Karen is a first generation Mexican-Guatemalan American to go to college. She is a proud UC Berkeley student now.
Dylan and Vale were born and raised in California. They proudly show their Mexican heritage wearing these vibrant traditional clothing.
This is Veronika. She is from Yakutsk, Russia—known as one of the coldest cities on Earth. Veronika belongs to the Sakha ethnic group, an Indigenous people of northeastern Russia living in the vast region of Yakutia. With a population of around 400,000, the Sakha are one of the smallest Indigenous groups in the world, and this heritage remains a deeply important part of her identity.
Although she now lives far from home and speaks mostly English in her daily life, Veronika continues to preserve her language and culture with her children, keeping that connection alive across generations.
Her story is a unique intersection of cultures. Ethnically Sakha and raised within Russian culture, she later became immersed in Chinese traditions through her husband’s family. Now living in the United States, Veronika carries a rich, layered identity—shaped by heritage, experience, and life across continents.
This man is from Texas - he is a street actor in Fort Worth, but I "placed" him into the Joshua Tree National Park scenery in post production.
Thank you!