LOOK AT ME

• Photographer
  VALERIE LEONARD, France
• Studio
  VALERIE LEONARD PHOTOGRAPHY
• Socials
• Website
  http://www.valerieleonard.fr

Mamtu is 14, she's a member of Bobas tribes. In Rajasthan, it is
not uncommon to see people with green eyes.
Among the lower castes are Bopa Kalbeliya and gypsies. Despite
their lower status, they are proud of their roots.
They earn their living by performing songs and dances or selling
fabrics and traditional jewelry.
I met Mamtu during the "Kumbh Mela". Each year, in the holy city
of Pushkar built at the edge of a lake, near the Thar Desert, takes
place the "Camel
fair" or "Kumbh Mela".
For 12 days in the largest cattle fair in Asia, farmers Rabaris then
camp on the sand dunes to sell a few thousand camels to
customers from all over
India.
Mamtu's parents travel all year round, from fair to fair, selling
fabrics and embroidered clothing.
In each village they set up their tent that they use as well as a
stand to present their products, as a place to live.
Mamtu, like most children of her caste, doesn't go to school. Her
parents cannot afford it and moreover, they rely on the help of
their daughter in their
business.

• Biography
  French-American, Valerie Leonard travels the world following her theme that she named “Labours of Hercules" where she attempts to show with utmost respect the dignity of women and men living and working in particularly hostile environments. She takes the time to live with the people and be fully accepted before starting her work. There is no staging, with patience and respect, she waits for the right moment, the right light to tell the truth, but in terms of beauty. Far from seeking aesthetic or false compassion she intends to change the way we see a forgotten humanity.
• Awards
  2018 1st Prize Zoom Photo Festival Saguenay. Canada. Hon.Mention PX3 Paris/ Press/ Book Documentary Hon.Mention PX3 Paris/ Press/ Feature Story 2017 Silver Medal ND Awards/ Editorial Environment Hon.Mention ND Awards/ General news Winner Pollux Awards/ Documentary Hon.Mention SDN Hon.Mention IPA/ Environmental 2016 Bronze star Award ND Awards/ People, Travel 2nd Prize APA Awards/ Documentary Editorial Gold Medal Documentary Book Prix PX3 Paris Nom. Fine Art Photography Awards/ Portrait, Travel, Animals, People 2nd Prize "The Other Hundred" Educator's edition 1st Prize Florida Museum Photographic Arts/ Nature, Animals 2015 Honorable Mention IPA Finalist 7th Julia Margaret Cameron Award 4 categories Honorable Mention Fine Art Photography Awards Remarkable Award Siena Photography Awards Honorable Mention ND Awards 6 categories 2014 Silver Star. ND Awards. Shortlisted Sony World Photography Awards. Honor. Mention IPA Category People Children 2013 Finalist Travel Photographer go the Year. Honor. Mention Best of Photography Honor. Mention IPA Category One shot/one world. Nominee Nature Images Awards Nominee Oasis Photo Contest. Honor. Mention. Winner of PX Paris. 2012 Honor. Mention. Wildlife IPA . Honor. Mention. People IPA Bronze Medal. Art en Capital. Grand Palais. Paris Photographer of the month National Geographic French website. 2011 1st Prize National Geographic. France