What a surprise. This cemetery in northern Ecuador is covered with incredible topiary. I was on my way south from Colombia and had to stop in the morning before continuing on. It was one of those crazy places you do not expect to find while traveling, and are so happy you did.

Otavalo is a famous market town with droves of tourists visiting every day. For me markets are the soul of a country where you can see what life is about, and get insight to the culture. Also, it is a great place to get shots of the products that represent the place, like these colorful bowels decorated in traditional colors and design.

The famous market in otavalo allowed me to capture more of the fabrics, and pattern I like so much. Like these colorful fabrics with the added bonus of the lama imprint. Search for fabrics or pattern above to see more.

The famous market in Otavalo allowed me to capture more of the fabrics, and pattern I like so much. Otavalo is known for the indigenous weaving as seen in this image. Search for fabrics or pattern above to see more.

I spent two days on the outskirts of Otavalo with a local indigenous family. They took me hiking around the country side where I took this shot of the beautiful flowers.

I spent two days on the outskirts of Otavalo with a local indigenous family. They took me hiking around the country side where I took this shot of the beautiful flowers.

I took this shot at the famous Otavalo market. The light was nice and I love food shots, and pattern, as you can see when you search above.

The amazing sky in the Andes offered me this great rainbow in an abstract form. Limited Edition Print.

This rainbow or halo around the sun is an indication rain is on the way. But for me it was also just a beautiful image of symmetry and nature.

I hiked parts of the Quilotoa loop from village to village. On my way I stopped at a tiny school where the kids were out playing. I of course joined in. Let me tell you, playing “it” and chasing kids around at this elevation was hard. This girl was not playing so I went up to her and gave her a sticker and tried to make her laugh. I took her portrait just as she was trying not to smile. She is so beautiful. She joined me in the rest of the playing and it was great.

One of many pattern images I have, these scarves in the market of Banos were very colorful and the gold thread shimmered in the sun. A nice one for the collection. Search above for pattern or fabrics to see more.

I took this shot from above Banos overlooking the Tungurahua volcano that erupted five day before I got there and was still smoldering. In this shot you really see the human element of this area and how close up the volcano people live. I also love the horse in the corner to add to the dramatic landscape and feel of the shot.

This dramatic landscape was taken above the town of Banos overlooking the Tungurahua volcano that erupted five days before and was still smoldering. I took this in the late afternoon when the clouds were rolling into the valley and the light was just right.

Tungurahua volcano erupted five days before I got there and was still smoldering. I took this in the late afternoon and the sun highlighted the ash and smoke. The black and white with color intensifies the sunset colors and the dark ashy smoke.

Laguna de Colta is one of those places that surprised me. From stopping there just for a short while to see the lake, to spending the entire day and night with the villagers, this place was amazing. The people were so friendly and beautiful, like this older woman in her traditional hat and jewelry. Her smiling kind eyes really captures the viewer.

Laguna de Colta is one of those places that surprised me. From stopping there just for a short while to see the lake, to spending the entire day and night with the villagers, this place was amazing. The people were so friendly and beautiful, like this man with his hat and poncho.

The fields around the lake and village were filled with this colorful plant. I like the bits of yellow in the sea of green.

Laguna de Colta is one of those places that surprised me. From stopping there just for a short while to see the lake, to spending the entire day and night with the villagers, this place was amazing. The people were so friendly and beautiful, like this young girl who was all dressed up for the celebrations of the day. The late afternoon light and her great charming demeanor made for a nice portrait.

Laguna de Colta is one of those places that surprised me. From stopping there just for a short while to see the lake, to spending the entire day and night with the villagers, this place was amazing. The people were so friendly and beautiful, like this young girl who was all dressed up for the celebrations of the day. Just a pretty young girl with a great shy smile.

I made my way to Laguna de Colta thinking I would get some shots of the lake  and move on. I ended up spending the day with the people in the village as they were having a huge gathering and celebration of their culture. I ended up making friends, like this boy who was so cute. The western influence of second hand clothes is seen all over, but it is still a bit strange to see indigenous people wearing western clothes. That did not change the fact that he was so cute!

I made my way to Laguna de Colta thinking I would get some shots of the lake  and move on. I ended up spending the day with the people in the village as they were having a huge gathering and celebration of their culture. This was one of the many friendly people who took me in and made me a guest in their village. Beautiful people. The women wore their best for the celebration, with the traditional hats and colors.

Atillo lakes is a magical place. It is a small isolated area between Guamote and Macas. The area is stunning and much of it accessible only on foot or horseback. This was the backdrop to where I was staying. The afternoon light filtering through the clouds created an amazing pattern on the green hill and jagged peaks. Like I said, magical.

A tender moment of a calf feeding. The goal of cultural photography is documenting and capturing moments that tell a story. From large scale to tiny scale they are all important, and precious.

I explored the Atillo lakes on horseback. This dog followed me and my guide all around and seemed to enjoy the view just as much as I did.

I explored the Atillo lakes on horseback. This dog joined me and my guide and another dog mid way and seemed to enjoy the views along the way.

Caught these sheep on the little ridge in the Atillo valley. Just a cute moment of cute animals.

Guard cat! In the road side stop of Atillo where I stayed this cat like to sit on the doorstep and look around. It was a great composition and a cute subject.

Atillo area is on the dirt road between the Guamote and Macas. It is not often visited, remote, and only opened a few years. I loved it. I stayed in a tiny shack at the foot of the mountains, and a gorgeous valley below. One day I climbed up the mountains and found this nice little waterfall. The black and white really showcased the contrast of light and dark.

This image was taken on the way to a small Shuar village in the jungles of Ecuador, where I stayed a few days. The only way to get there was on an overnight bus ride over dirt roads, then a three hour boat ride up the Upano river, and a hike through the jungle for another 45 minutes. Completely worth the effort.

This image was taken at a small Shuar indigenous Indian village in the jungles of Ecuador, where I stayed a few days. The only way to get there was on an overnight bus ride over dirt roads, then a three hour boat ride up the Upano river, and a hike through the jungle for another 45 minutes. Completely worth the effort. This young kid was so cute standing looking out over the village.

The dense jungle near Morona on the Upano river is awesome. I spent four days in a Shuar village exploring the jungle and it was a highlight of my Ecuador trip.

I took this cute shot in a tiny Shuar village in the jungles of Ecuador. The people were amazing as was the adventure getting there, but the kids really became my friends. They loved having a foreigner in the village and were constantly looking at me with wonder filled eyes.

I spent four days in an indigenous Shuar village in the Ecuadorian selva. It was an incredible experience and an amazing insight to this culture. The only way to reach the village was by boat and then hiking through the jungle. On the boat ride on the Upano river I was accompanied by a local elder with his traditional head band on. This image represents to me the  power, and authority of the elders.

The small quiet town of Vilcabamba is a nice retreat from the harder traveling through Ecuador that I did. Walking around I met this nice man who was pleased to get his photo taken. I have respect for the elderly as do other cultures and find they have a lot to tell us with their history and stories. His face tells a lot on its own.

Part of my growing collection of food shots from around the world, the beans at the market made a great pattern and color composition. Search above for other food shots to make a set.

The large market of  Guayaquil, has a lot to offer. I found this gentleman in the side street behind the market making flower arrangements. I sat and talked to him for a while, as he was making this arrangement. When he was done I asked to take his portrait. His humility and happiness made me happy. He sits there in his jacket and hat working, while his products are sold by others inside the market. He was proud of his work and it shows. The black and white with color works here perfectly.

This sign on the entrance to a shopping area in Guayaquil, made me laugh. It is obvious that guns and roller blades are unanimous with trouble! Search above for more funny signs.