Justin Hoch -A Day in the Life of Alejandra Romero Bonilla
It was supposed to be a huge year.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were coming up. I had big plans for a worldwide project following athletes as they trained and prepared for sport's biggest event. I started off going to Vladikavkaz and Krasnoyarsk, Russia. I went to Rome, Italy. And then, in March, I went to Ottawa, Canada to follow Alejandra Romero Bonilla, a Mexican wrestler trying to become the first woman from her country to make the Olympics in wrestling.
Halfway through the trip, the COVID lockdown began. And my project veered off course.
Wrestling was resilient though, and events eventually started taking place again, in spite of gathering restrictions and travel complications. I photographed more wrestling in the past year and a half than any other stretch in my life. Fortunately enough, Ale was training at Penn State University and so I was able to photograph her there, mid-pandemic. These images show some of her journey.
Where's Your Head At? came into existence at just the right time. I had lots of images, lots of time, and in need of lots of help. The community and guidance were instrumental in helping me process what we were all going through and gave me a place to learn and grow. I'm forever grateful for this experience.
My Olympics project is still ongoing. Dark Places will now track wrestlers preparing for Paris 2024. More information will be posted to my website, jhoch.com.
Where’s Your Head At?
Where’s Your Head At, started as a peer support group during the pandemic for photographers struggling to create. Started in October of 2020 it lasted until June of 2021, meeting once every two weeks.
The open zoom sessions allowed for photographers to drop in and out, but a core group formed and they became a close community. There was a true concern for each other, a willingness to be open about their experiences during the pandemic and what it was like to navigate, while sharing knowledge and photography.
Each photographer had to adapt to the circumstances and deviate from the familiar. The pause made some meditative, some dove into their archive of work, personal projects, experimentation in new styles or techniques, and ultimately accept and engage with the situation.
In a time where society as a whole felt a deep disconnect, the group was able to elucidate highlights of human connection; familial ties, intimacy, support via team or other, and an appreciation for life as it is, not always what we want it to be.
- Maria Lau, Facilitator and Curator
