ORANGUTANS "men of the forest" From high in the treetops that are my home I'm lost and afraid, I feel so alone. Our forest was huge once covering miles It was full of life, and my mother smiles. They are moving in closer to the men with the fire. Clearing my home, with their greed and desire. These men killed my mother, it broke my heart I'm scared as I watch them, pull my home apart. So many of my kind have been killed in this way. We cannot stop them, we have no say. Someone, please help us, we really need you Stop destroying us and our forest, for your cheaper food. by Valentino Rodrigues, aged 10 Kalimantan, Indonesia 2018 BACK TO TOP

PORTRAITS “A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people.” – Annie Leibovitz Turkana, Kenya Bali, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia New York, USA Turkana, Kenya Bali, Indonesia New York, USA Kalimantan, Indonesia New York, USA Bali, Indonesia Kalimantan, Indonesia Tokyo, Japan Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya Bali, Indonesia Turkana, Kenya Turkana, Kenya Turkana, Kenya Olympic National Park, USA Bali, Indonesia Muscat, Oman Muscat, Oman Kyoto, Japan Amalfi, Italy Milan, Italy Bogota, Colombia Agra, India Agra, India Agra, India Bwindi, Uganda Bwindi, Uganda BACK TO TOP

A Love Letter to New York Dear New York, For 20 unforgettable years, you were my playground, my laboratory, and my sanctuary. Within your vibrant streets, I evolved from a naïve, inexperienced young lady, and transformed into a confident, wiser, street-smart, empathetic, comfortable in my own skin middle-aged woman. I shaped my career with you, starting as a dog walker for rich folks in the Upper West Side, until I found my very first job as a Tour Guide at the United Nations, working directly for Ban Ki Moon until I landed a job that I fulfill me at UNICEF. There and along the way, I forged lifelong friendships - my chosen family - who made every moment brighter. We shared laughter, tears, and countless adventures, creating an unbreakable bond that transcends time and distance. Your global landscape broadened my perspectives, sharpened my skills, and fueled my passion for making a difference and finding my life purpose. Your diversity - a kaleidoscope of cultures, ideas, and experiences - opened my heart to acceptance, understanding, and the beauty of difference. You taught me to embrace change, adapt to uncertainty, and find solace in the impermanence of life. Your dynamic dating scene taught me resilience, self-discovery, and the value of true connection. Through trials and errors, I discovered my own strength, learned to navigate complex relationships, and ultimately found my partner in crime - a love that has been the anchor of my life. Don’t get me wrong, I did want to leave you many times, on those hot humid summer days, feeling the intense energy of your nasty, but equally interesting subway, navigating the sidewalks through mountains of trash piled up, getting overwhelmed by the crowds, honks, noise and pissed off dudes screaming at each other…..so I did leave you, and moved to the suburbs looking for more peace and greenery, however not far enough for not being able to keep enjoying you, your smells, your dynamism, and countless sources of stimulation. As I bid farewell, I'm filled with gratitude for the lessons, challenges, and adventures. Your energy will stay with me forever - a reminder of the growth, exploration, and transformation that defined my two decades in this incredible city. I’m proud that I managed to make it and become part of you, and I’m honored to call myself a New Yorker who managed to embrace every moment with you; good and bad. You are incredible, you are magical, you are YOU, the best city in the world. With my eyes closed and my heart open, I embark on a new chapter. New York, you'll always be the city that made me - a city that will forever hold a piece of my heart. I’m going for now, but rest assured that I’ll come back someday. Istanbul....here I come!!!! November 3rd, 2024 MORE PHOTOS OF NEW YORK HERE BACK TO TOP

FLOWERS & NATURE Earth laughs in flowers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson BACK TO TOP

MONKEYS “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” - Rafiki, The Lion King BACK TO TOP

GORILLAS "There is a deep spirituality in the gorilla that is hard to describe, and it is something that must be experienced to truly understand." - Diane Fossey After 3 hours of a steep hike into the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, we found the Katwe family. Words cannot describe the incredible emotion of seeing these gentle gorillas up so close. Their peaceful demeanor and majestic presence took my breath away, literally. By now you probably know my deep love for animals, this was truly special and this encounter will forever hold a special place in my heart. Bwindi, Uganda 2023 BACK TO TOP

PORTRAITS I really enjoy photographing people. It is the perfect opportunity to get closer, aiming to capture their dignity, their goodness, their soul. Tokyo, Japan Kalimantan, Indonesia Brooklyn, New York Bali, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia Tokyo, Japan Kyoto, Japan Bali, Indonesia Pereira, Colombia Paris, France Paris, France Paris, France Paris, France Bwindi, Uganda Bwindi, Uganda Bali, Indonesia Kalimantan, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia Kalimantan, Indonesia Bali, Indonesia Kyoto, Japan New York, USA New York, USA Kyoto, Japan Pereira, Colombia Tokyo, Japan Bwindi, Uganda Masai Village, Kenya Bwindi, Uganda Masai Village, Kenya Masai Village, Kenya BACK TO TOP

OTHER CREATURES "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." - John Muir BACK TO TOP

CONTACT I would love to hear from you! Use the form below to leave me a comment or if you'd like to acquire a print copy of any of the photos. HEIDY MARTINEZ sublime767@gmail.com WhatsApp +1-646-338-7425 First Name Last Name Email Subject Leave me a message... Submit Thanks for submitting!

THE SAMBURU PEOPLE - KENYA They are Samburu, I met them in Diani beach and hung out with them for a few hours before asking them for the pictures. Fascinating people, men’s names all start with “L” and women’s with “N”. In order of appearance are Loitipa, Luke, Lekuraki, Lorian, and Lekerde. The Samburu are semi-nomadic pastoralists, their lives revolve around their cattle (as well as sheep, goats, and camels ). The traditional Samburu diet consists mostly of milk and sometimes blood from their cows. The blood is collected by making a tiny nick in the cow's jugular, and draining the blood into a cup. The wound is then quickly sealed with hot ash. Meat is only consumed on special occasions. The north-central region in which the Samburu live is a dry, somewhat barren land, and villages have to relocate regularly to ensure their cattle can feed. These settlements are called manyattas. The huts are constructed so that they are easily dismantled and portable when the Samburu move to a new location. The red clothes wrapped around like a skirt are called shukka. This is enhanced with many colorful beaded necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Both men and women wear jewelry although only the women make it. The Samburu also paint their faces using striking patterns to accentuate their facial features. They told me that lately, they have been under pressure from the government to settle into permanent villages. They have been extremely reluctant to do so since obviously permanent settlement would disrupt their entire way of life. The area they live in is very arid and it's difficult to grow crops to sustain a permanent site. This means that sedentary Samburu will become dependent on others for their survival. Samburu families who have been forced to settle will often send their adult men to the cities to work as guards. This is a form of employment that has evolved naturally because of their strong reputation as warriors. Neighboring tribes, admiring the beauty of the Samburu people, called them Samburu meaning "butterfly." The Samburu refer to themselves as the loikop, which is generally thought to translate as "owners of the land." I usually prefer to be behind the camera, but they were the ones who asked me for the last photo. Diani Beach, Kenya 2023 BACK TO TOP

THE BALINESE WEDDING In Balinese culture, weddings are seen as one of the most important events in a person's life. The ceremony is a mix of Hindu and Balinese customs and is filled with elaborate rituals and offerings to seek blessings from the gods. Known as “pawiwahan”, the Balinese wedding is a sacred ceremony that involves the gods, creatures from the underworld, and people as the three crucial witnesses. It is a beautiful and elaborate celebration of love and commitment that is steeped in tradition and culture. The ceremony typically takes place in a temple or a sacred location and involves intricate rituals and customs that have been passed down through generations. It all started with me casually strolling around a traditional village on a scooter without any expectations. Suddenly, I bumped into this wedding car. In a very impulsive act, I started chasing the car trying to get this picture. The driver saw me riding behind them. As I passed them, I asked if I could take pictures and this is what I got....while both vehicles were still moving! Those smiles were the prize to my bold and dangerous maneuver. The bride and groom were appreciative of my interest and invited me to join their special ceremony! One of the most striking aspects of a Balinese wedding is the decoration. The venue is typically adorned with vibrant flowers and intricate decorations made from bamboo and other natural materials. The wedding attire of the bride and groom is a significant aspect of the Balinese wedding. The brides and grooms don’t get to choose these costumes by themselves, but these costumes are set according to the family’s caste levels. The bride is adorned in a traditional "kebaya" , which is a form-fitting blouse, and a sarong, which is a long piece of fabric wrapped around the waist. The groom wears a traditional Balinese jacket, known as a "saput," paired with a sarong. The wedding ceremony begins with the arrival of the groom and his entourage at the bride's family compound or temple. During the wedding ceremony, the couple performs a series of rituals that symbolize their commitment to each other. These rituals include the presentation of offerings to the gods, the exchange of vows and rings, and the pouring of holy water over the couple's hands. The bride and groom exchange vows and offerings while a priest leads the ceremony. Besides the dress, both bride and groom wear a traditional golden crown decorations. The height of the crown also symbolizes the level of a family’s caste. After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests proceed to the reception, where they enjoy traditional Balinese food and music. The reception is often held in a beautiful outdoor setting, surrounded by lush greenery and decorated with colorful flowers and Balinese ornaments. Capturing the beauty and emotion of a Balinese wedding was a truly rewarding experience. They welcomed me as if I was part of the family and shared their very special moment with a complete stranger. When I returned home, I printed the pictures and send them back to them. I have a new family to visit when I go back to Bali! BACK TO TOP