Manuel Rivera-Ortiz quotes

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz is an American photographer recognized for his powerful documentary work focused on social issues. His images capture the lives and struggles of people in marginalized communities around the world. He uses his art to raise awareness and inspire change through visual storytelling. Here are 18 of his quotes:

Showing poverty is such a large part of my work because another thing that I am finding is that for me personally, doing this work helps me in trying to come to grips with my own upbringing and all that occurred during that time. Basically, this work to me is a sort of time for reflection, a pseudo inventory of "this is your life," a way to try to accept the concept of what was so inevitable.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

The sooner we begin this process of healing as people, all people, the sooner we can begin to live a mutual life free from innuendo, hurt, judgment and need.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

If we as people can remember this much from seeing one of my shows, then we are already well on the way toward progress in my opinion.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

The amount of time it takes to provide is threefold for families whom have to make due with very little.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

I too do not ever pretend operate in a vacuum. This work is done on all of our behalf.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

This is a very important lesson for those who propagate such narrow minded universally accepted inaccuracies about poverty.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

The people I gravitate to are neither rich nor popular. They do not have the power to boost or end careers at the flick of a pen; nor do they own fancy things or drive fancy cars.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

They cry themselves to sleep at night from hunger.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

There can never be too many of us doing this type of work ... The work that we do is necessary beyond accolades or honors. In fact, to do it for accolades or honors alone is criminal.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

We are a bit spoiled here no matter how much money we have or don't have.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

I don't need them to tell me what it feels like to be poor ... I already know how this feels, how it smells and how it tastes! When I talk to them ... I want them to tell me about their hopes and aspirations, about their dreams...

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

I make images of the living for the living. I try to celebrate life.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

I don't need them to tell me what it feels like to be poor ... I already know how this feels, how it smells and how it tastes! When I talk to them ... I want them to tell me about their hopes and aspirations, about their dreams... about the road ahead and how they imagine it will shape up out in front of them to make the dreaming and hoping come true. I ask them about assistance, about the health, and about their families near or far.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

I make images of the living for the living. I try to celebrate life. Iconic photographer Dorothea Lange, once said ‘I too have come to lend my voice to those least able to have a voice of their own.' I agree.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

The amount of time it takes to provide is threefold for families whom have to make due with very little. ... Children from poor households learn to have very low expectations of themselves and their future because they believe that the world around them doesn't expect much from them either. In India, children of the lower castes are taught still today that once poor always poor so they don't think to become doctors or lawyers because their last name may not be Gupta or whatever other typically higher caste name there may be in India.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz's Cuba series, is like a cinema verité journey, through a landscape both accessible and mythic. His panoramas capture a connection to an environment that prods the senses. One feels enveloped by a familiar, primal place. It is this place which will hopefully anchor a vibrant social order, as it braces itself for the tremors gathering momentum on the horizon. The engaging photograph of two little girls holding each other, surrounded by lush vegetation, workers and family members speak to the continuity and bonds of love and vision of one's own paradise.

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz