carofotos

Collaboration

Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, an ensemble of 14 students from Chicago’s immigrant barrios from Pilsen to Little Village. That was what made them so unique. They were young kids portraying these real emotions through the art of mariachi ranchera music. I was in awe when I first photograph them opening for the legendary Los Lobos while they were all still in their teens. Chicago was eating it up.

First starting as a after school program, these kids later came on top of the Latin charts and came to get TWO Latin Grammy Nominations.
We wanted this to be shown in photos for their first album. That they are just like you and me. From the same barrio and you can dream big and accomplish whatever you can where are you are from. Que somo del barrio!

So we took the streets of Pilsen and Little Village. We photographed first in everyday clothes in front of the home of one of the band members in Little Village taking photos on the stoop. An everyday summer hang for many chicagoans eating chicharon and snack from the streets. Next was the restaurant Mi Tierra down the street where they would play and rehearse whenever they can for the neighborhood and can I add has some pretty amazing food.

Our next destination, we needed to suit up. A quick stop at the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Pilsen neighborhood and off to our next destination. Pilsen. We took a few quick strolls around the neighborhood with the kids all suited up. One stop at the El Paseo gardens and just wandering the streets where we ran into a low rider enthusiast who kindly let us take pics of their sweet ride. We also put the kids to work having them push the car in the right postion. Ha!

Our final destination was your classic Chicago skyline at the lake. It was refreshing and spectators gathered to see what this bola (ball) of kids were up to. It was sunny and clear skies at the end of the shoot that everyone was just happy to be by the water.
These kids continue on doing their music till this day and continue on with more nominations, toping charts and playing Disney.
If they are in a city near you definitely go check out the power punching mariachi sound they have to offer.