Copyright © Eric Lugo

My name is Eric Lugo, a photojournalist with 10 years of experience in the beautiful craft of capturing moments. I hail from the most populous borough of Mexico City, my beloved Iztapalapa. My journey into photography began in the workshops at Faro de Oriente with Professor Jesús Villaseca, where I took classes in a tunnel formed by a deep drainage duct. It was there that the idea of capturing the moments I saw in my daily life took root. I embraced photojournalism as a way to express what cannot be said with words, following the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words.

However, my introduction to photography goes back to my grandfather and his walks in the mountains and rivers of the country. He documented his travels with a Kodak Retinete camera, which I still cherish as my most precious treasure. Photography has been present in my home since my childhood, with slides of mountains like Popocatépetl or Nevado de Toluca.

Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to document significant events in the country, such as the movement for the 43 students of Ayotzinapa, the 2017 earthquake, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s campaign, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences have been both good and bad, but they have all led to learning and personal improvement.

One of my main coverages is the visit to the altar of Santa Muerte on the first days of each month and its anniversary in October. During these visits, my understanding of the faith of the believers has left me amazed by all the stories and miracles that the White Girl has granted to her followers. In my parents’ home, no religion was instilled beyond believing in an omnipotent God, without belief in saints or virgins. I was blown away by the offerings and devotion with which people attend month after month. I not only take the photographs but prefer the portraits of those I have met during these visits. For me, it is essential that people see themselves as they are and have their photo, thus completing the circle. It’s not just about taking something; it’s about equaling the act of being photographed by a stranger.

My plan is to remain active in photojournalism and have even more hunger to continue capturing current events in the city, the country, and perhaps even the world.