P H O T O G R A P H Y I N S P I R A T I O N: I N T H E E Y E S O F J I M M Y N E L S O N

For the past week I've been looking around for some photography inspiration, hence the previous post where I was pondering to myself about the controversial yet meaningful photographs of tribal marks. It lead me onto various subjects and details of tribal culture in Africa and how many of these are slowly dying away.

As I started getting more infatuated with Isabel Munoz, I came across Jimmy Nelson.


Nelson has been travelling around the world for more than 45 years, capturing the lives of more than 29 tribes. He recalls "I see myself as a messenger, not evangelical, but telling a story. My story of travel experiences, showing those tribal people in their most beautiful, iconic way and telling their story. I want to share three lessons with you: judgement, choice and connection"

Jimmy Nelson created the opus, 'Before they pass away" which details him venturing out to 44 different countries whilst carrying his camera, from the deep cold brisk snow engulfing Mongolia, to the dark rain forests of Papa New Guinea. He documented these tribes to show people before they soon become obsolete.

"In the Western world we think in boxes; so let's think outside the box. Look closer! If we deface people from other cultures, we are prejudiced. And also within our own culture we are". Nelson continues to say that, "When you are vulnerable you can connect with people on any level. And we just have to wake up to a new reality: this process, of tribes disappearing with their pure way of living, is going. We need to start a new dialogue and I use my book to start this dialogue with those tribesmen, They can learn from each other and we can learn from them all: they are wealthy in another way. I want to show them the pictures and learn what they have:how rich they are!"


Within his book you can step into the true adventures and grasp the cultures of each tribe. On his site, he displays some of tribes that he came across.

The Banna
Which inhabit most of the highlands east of Omo river, practise ritual dancing and singing.






The Huli tribe, Papa New Guinea
They have fought over land, cattle and women and the Huli wig men are most notable for painting their faces yellow, red and white and also for their creative tradition of making ornamented wigs.







Samburu, Kenya
Located in the Northern Kenya, they have to relocate every 5-6 weeks due to cattle feeding.




Maasai, Tanzania
The Maasai have fought their way from Sudan to their present destination since the 15th Century and have taken over the majority of the land in the Rift Valley.




Tsaatan, Mongolia
Known as the reindeer people, they are the last reindeer hurders to survive and their existence is currently at risk as only 44 families remain.

All Photos © Jimmy Nelson-All Rights Reserved

I think seeing his work has opened my mind to the possibilities that could evolve when trying to develop this upcoming theme of lost tribesmen and their cultures. Looking at these photographs are helping me to see outside of myself. Even though i'm not travelling at the moment, these photos make me feel like i'm able to see and take a journey like Nelson's. These photos don't just make you think, they help you dream.