My pledge is to show you the Native American experience through photography. Please support my mission at: http://www.patreon.com/donovanshortey
The Waukazoo-Sandoval family sheep in Torreon, NM. This is one of my top
5 images I took during my trip to Torreon last December.
I took this image with my new Rokinon FE14M-C 14mm F2.8 ultra wide lens
that I got just days before I took this picture. I love this lens, even though it’s a manual lens.
With spring right around the corner, I will definitively be going out more during the night to take some long exposure shots of the Diné Bikéyah landscape
Former Miss Diné bi Eastern Fair Queen 2015-2016 Amberlynn Begay.
“Navajo Shoe Game”
Going through my old stuff. I keep finding gems I never thought I would consider beautiful. Being a data hoarder sometimes pays off
I had a “double rainbow guy” moment last Thursday morning with the majestic fog here in Tségháhoodzání.
A few months back I reached out to StrongHearts Native Helpline, asking them if I could help out with their mission. Now, a few months later, I am happy to be apart of their goal to help Native American communities with my images.
The image featured in this post was taken during the Navajo Nation Museum Annual New Years Eve Navajo Shoegame back in 2012.
It’s good to finally see my images be put to good use.
Rita Bilagody embraces another special session attendee
in relief after the defeat of the Grand Canyon Escalade legislation
outside the Navajo Nation Council Chamber on Oct. 31st 2017.
Here is a High Country News’ article I took photos for. During my photo assignment, I met a nice family, the Waukazoo family, on the most eastern portion of the Navajo Nation. The story’s author, Julian Brave NoiseCat, is a member of the Canim Lake Band Tsq'escen in British Columbia. I’m glad I was able to provide the pictures he wanted for his story.
This is one of the types of photography I always wanted to do, to help
talented journalists tell somber reservation stories with images that are profound and
informative.
Also, to top it all off, they chose one of my images to be the cover photo for their February magazine. That was very nice of them. ha.
Roland Begay displays a protest sign in front of the Navajo Nation Council Chambers during the Grand Canyon Escalade special session in Window Rock, Arizona on Oct. 31st of 2017.
With the Navajo Nation being in the national political spotlight lately, it got me thinking about the many indigenous political images that I have never shown the public.
Here is a picture of Navajo politician, Wenona Benally Baldenegro, that I donated to Wikipedia today. I donated this image because one of my core goals in photography is to capture powerful moments in Dinétah that elude outsiders.
What you see here is a powerful image of an indigenous woman, a Diné woman. This is the type of image I want the entire world to see of how indigenous women look. Determined and Proud.
link to the Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wenona_Benally
“America we know is composed of a diverse community. We have different
languages, different skills, different talents & different religion.
But when our way of life is threatened, we come together as one. And
when we come together as one, we are invincible.” - Peter MacDonald, Navajo Code Talker, 7th Chairman of the Navajo Nation
Opponents of the Grand Canon Escalade development celebrate after the Navajo Nation Council voted against the proposed tourist attraction in a legislative special session in Window Rock, Arizona.
“New Mexican Women”
Indigenous women dance along the perimeter of the Gourd Dance during the 2012 NCI New Year’s Eve Gourd Dance in Gallup, New Mexico.
A proud father can’t hold back his tears after his daughter’s victory during Tséhootsooí Diné Bi'ólta’ Princess Pageant in Fort Defiance, Arizona.
Hard at work among your relations. There is no other peace like it.
Royal Lineup at the 44th Annual Western Navajo Fair Pow Wow in Tuba City, Arizona.