Jin Zhao
I met Julissa in 2012 while photographing workers and their families for Make the Road New York—an organization dedicated to empowering immigrant communities. Julissa and I worked closely together, she helped me arrange photoshoots and translations. At the time she was five or six months pregnant, and had a full workload. When I asked her if I could photograph her for Showing, she said yes. On the day of the shoot, I followed her as she went about her daily tasks. That day, she had a community meeting with workers in Queens. Frankly, when we spoke, she didn’t talk much about her pregnancy. She was mostly excited to talk about her work, which she loved. It made me realize that pregnancy in the workplace is a completely natural part of a working woman’s life.
Julissa had a natural beauty and radiance that could illuminate any room. Because I was shooting in the daytime, I used only natural light; I wanted to capture the authenticity of her working environment as much as possible. But in the end, it was her confidence and gracefulness that brought the images to life.
Jin is a Chinese-born photographer based in Chicago, IL.
Julissa, Workplace Organizer, from Showing: Pregnancy in the Workplace, 2012
Buma from Tea Farmers of Yunnan, 2016
As a photographer, I’m interested in capturing ordinary people in particular situations—especially people in idiosyncratic lines of work. I’ve photographed jazz musicians in New York, tea farmers in China, and magicians in Chicago. Work is essential to a person’s identity. Using work as a lens, I am able to capture my subject in a context that is both intimate and public.
Grandma from Tea Farmers of Yunnan, 2016
Lunch Break from Tea Farmers of Yunnan, 2016
Mother and Son from Tea Farmers of Yunnan, 2016
The Enchanting Night of Taxco III, 2015
Lionel Loueke at The Jazz Gallery from Unchromed: Jazz NYC, 2012
Marc Cary at the Blue Note from Unchromed: Jazz NYC, 2012
John Mcneil at Tea Lounge from Unchromed: Jazz NYC, 2011
Atlantans I, 2013
Atlantans II, 2014
Atlantans III, 2012
Atlantans IV, 2014