Ellen Kok

Photographer and Writer

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American Moments

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Location: New Hampshire, USA

Nationality: Netherlands

Biography: Ellen Kok is a photographer and writer from the Netherlands, who combines photo essays with written stories. She builds long-lasting relationships with her subjects, often following them for years. Her photography is based on trust and intimacy.... MORE

Estela (on the right), her youn...he Farmworkers' Children.

1 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Estela (on the right), her younger sister, and their one month old cousin Amy in the cabin of their aunt in a migrant farmworker camp at a cherry farm. Estela’s family originates from Mexico, lives in California now, but annually follows the harvest from the Pacific southwest to the northwest, picking cherries, apples and pears. The children were born in the United States and are American citizens.
The Dalles, Oregon, USA. July 2005.

From the photo story The Farmworkers' Children.

Mexican children have drawn a h...he Farmworkers' Children.

2 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Mexican children have drawn a hopscotch game in the sand of a migrant farmworker camp at one of the fruit companies in the Hood River Valley. Fruit growing: pears, apples, cherries, is what drives the economy in this region on the border of the states of Oregon and Washington. The planting, pruning, harvesting and packaging is mostly done by Mexicans, who have settled as permanent residents or travel with their families from one camp to another, while following the harvest. Some of them have a work permit or a greencard, some are illegal. Ninety percent comes from the Mexican countryside, men usually have a six year elementary education, women three years. Many of them are illiterate and most of them only speak Spanish or one of the native Mexican Indian languages. They live socially isolated in the camps, don’t own a phone, don’t have a driver's license or a car. An estimated 8,000 Latinos have settled permanently in the region. Between February and October another 20.000 migrants will work there as well. Many of their children have been born in the United States, which makes them American citizens. They may attend summer school and learn to speak English.
The Dalles, Oregon, USA. July 2005.

From the photo story The Farmworkers' Children.

A Mexican family eats a meal of...he Farmworkers' Children.

3 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

A Mexican family eats a meal of beans and tortillas that they heat on a gas burner, while seated under the cherry trees at Orchard View Farms, one of the biggest fruit growers in Oregon. The father, mother and their teenage son and daughter all wear American clothing that covers up their body. A lot of pesticides are used in the cherry cultivation. That is why the rules say that everybody should cover up their skin and mouth while working, but not all do so. The minimum age for a hand-picker in Oregon is 16 years. Most of this manual labor is done by young Latinos. The harvest starts early every morning at the crack of dawn and stops around 11 AM, when it gets too warm and the chance of damaging the fruit increases.
The Dalles, Oregon, USA. July 2005.

From the photo story The Farmworkers' Children.

A Mexican migrant farmworker an...e Farmworkers' Children .

4 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

A Mexican migrant farmworker and his teenage son hand pick cherries from the trees of Orchard View Farms, a family company and one of the largest fruit growers in the state of Oregon. A supervisor keeps track of the amount of buckets filled by punching a card. A bucket yields two dollars, but that sum can run up to four dollars for the more delicate cherries, like Bings, which have to be picked with more care.
The Dalles, Oregon, USA. July 2005.

From the photo story The Farmworkers' Children.

A young Xoloitzcuintli, a Mexic...e Farmworkers' Children .

5 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

A young Xoloitzcuintli, a Mexican hairless dog, in a migrant farmworker camp.
The Dalles, Oregon, USA. July 2005.

From the photo story The Farmworkers' Children.

Bull Dogs, Saturday football tr... Colorado, USA. September 1997.

6 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Bull Dogs, Saturday football training.
Boulder, Colorado, USA. September 1997.

Friends at the Chicago River du...cago, Illinois, USA. June 1999.

7 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Friends at the Chicago River during a school trip.
Chicago, Illinois, USA. June 1999.

Students of Connie's Schoo...,Colorado, USA. September 1997.

8 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Students of Connie's School of Dance backstage during the annual Colorado State Fair.
Pueblo,Colorado, USA. September 1997.

Boulder County Fair and Live St...nt, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

9 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Boulder County Fair and Live Stock Show.
Longmont, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

Homecoming Parade of Golden Hig... Colorado, USA. September 1997.

10 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Homecoming Parade of Golden High School.
Golden, Colorado, USA. September 1997.

A young father undresses his ne...oto story Nurses for Newborns.

11 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

A young father undresses his newborn baby son so that he can be weighed and checked by a nurse from Nurses from Newborns, a private health care organization that tries to be a safety net for families that are in a high-risk group for infant mortality, child molestation or child neglect. A six year old step-daughter reaches for the remote control of the television.
Nashville, Tennessee, USA. May 2003.

From the photo story Nurses for Newborns.

Juliana (18), Emily (14), and C...to story Boxing Against Gangs.

12 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Juliana (18), Emily (14), and Cristina (10), members of TKO Boxing Club, watch other boxers fight in the boxing ring. The girls are waiting for their turn to spar. Turning Kids On, the club is called in full, TKO also being short for the boxing term technical knock out. TKO teaches boys as well as girls in the ages between 8-18 from a poor neighborhood with a prevalance of latinos. The boxing club tries to be an appealing alternative for the many youth gangs that are active there as well. Boxing teaches the children discipline, gives them more self-esteem, and being club members cultivates connection and friendship.
Santa Ana, California, USA. June 2001.

From the photo story Boxing Against Gangs.

During a game of sparring in th...to story Boxing Against Gangs.

13 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

During a game of sparring in the boxing ring of TKO Boxing Club, Juliana (18) has been hit knock out by her opponent Emily (14). Coach Hector Lopez revives the girl by talking to her and by cooling her with a bottle of water. Turning Kids On, the club is called in full, TKO also being short for the boxing term technical knock out. TKO teaches boys as well as girls in the ages between 8-18 from a poor neighborhood with a prevalance of latinos. The boxing club tries to be an appealing alternative for the many youth gangs that are active there as well. Boxing teaches the children discipline, gives them more self-esteem, and being club members cultivates connection and friendship.
Santa Ana, California, USA. June 2001.

From the photo story Boxing Against Gangs.

Vietnam Memorial. Washington DC, USA. January 1998.

14 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Vietnam Memorial.
Washington DC, USA. January 1998.

Boulder County Fair and Live St...nt, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

15 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Boulder County Fair and Live Stock Show.
Longmont, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

Hometown Days. Strasburg, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

16 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Hometown Days.
Strasburg, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

Halloween. Boulder, Colorado, USA. October 1997.

17 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Halloween.
Boulder, Colorado, USA. October 1997.

Halloween. Boulder, Colorado, USA. October 1997.

18 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Halloween.
Boulder, Colorado, USA. October 1997.

Robin, cheerleader of The Golde...7. From the photo story Cheer!

19 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Robin, cheerleader of The Golden Demons, ties ribbons in the hair of Tessa ahead of the Homecoming Parade of Golden High School.
Golden, Colorado, USA. September 1997.

From the photo story Cheer!

Christa, Mindy en Jamie (from t...7. From the photo story Cheer!

20 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Christa, Mindy en Jamie (from the left) practice a stunt together with other members of The Golden Demons, the cheerleaders of Golden High School. Cheerleading is top sport. The Golden Demons practice five times a week after school. To become a member of the squad a girl has to have an average of a B plus for her schoolwork and land a severe audition. Also, the cheerleaders need to behave as rolemodels: smoking or kissing your boyfriend while in uniform are prohibited.
Golden, Colorado, USA. September 1997.

From the photo story Cheer!

Jamie, a member of The Golden D...7. From the photo story Cheer!

21 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Jamie, a member of The Golden Demons, the cheerleaders of Golden High School, tries on a new uniform.
Golden, Colorado, USA. October 1997.

From the photo story Cheer!

April, a member of The Golden D...7. From the photo story Cheer!

22 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

April, a member of The Golden Demons, the cheerleaders of Golden High School, takes a break during a practice.
Golden, Colorado, USA. November 1997.

From the photo story Cheer!

Cheerleaders of the Golden Demo...7. From the photo story Cheer!

23 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Cheerleaders of the Golden Demons of Golden High School getting dressed in their uniforms in the car of one of them before their performance at an away football game.
Golden, Colorado, USA. October 1997.

From the photo story Cheer!

Teresa, on her shoulders Missy,...97 From the photo story Cheer!

24 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Teresa, on her shoulders Missy, members of The Golden Demons, the cheerleaders of Golden High School, cheer during an away football game.
Golden, Colorado, USA. October 1997

From the photo story Cheer!

Ben (16) and his sister Jennife...ngton, Virginia, USA. May 2008.

25 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Ben (16) and his sister Jennifer (15) at the grave of their father at Arlington National Cemetery, section 60. Daniel Suplee died in 2006 after having been fataly wounded in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. His children are attending the 14th Annual National Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors, where children 4-18 years old who lost a family member in the military can meet peers and share their grief. These camps are organized all year round in the U.S. by the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). Children get an adult personal mentor, who stays in touch with them. Mostly these are military service members, too. Jennifer’s mentor Rodney Bolin (on the left) is a member of the Arlington Cemetery Honor Guard.
Arlington, Virginia, USA. May 2008.

A freshman of Norwich Universit... From the photo story Rookies.

26 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

A freshman of Norwich University, the oldest private military college (1819) in the U.S., has forgotten his Rook Cover, his hat, during Rook Week, the introduction week. A freshman is called Rook, a rookie is an untrained recruit.
Norwich has a civilian and a military branch. Students who are admitted to the Corps of Cadets can study here thanks to a Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship, paid for by the American Armed Forces, in exchange for at least four years of miltairy service. They study a major, like criminal justice or engineering, that will prepare them for a civilian job, but also train to become officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Northfield, Vermont, USA. August 2013.

From the photo story Rookies.

Freshmen, camouflage make-up on... From the photo story Rookies.

27 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Freshmen, camouflage make-up on theirs faces, wade in the Dog River during the traditional Dog River Run at the end of Rook Week, the introduction week of Norwich University, the oldest private military college (1819) in the U.S. They carry stones along that they collected as souvenirs.
Northfield, Vermont, USA. August 2013.

From the photo story Rookies.

United States Air Force Honor G.... Washington DC, USA. May 2009.

28 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

United States Air Force Honor Guard, Bolling Air Force Base.
Washington DC, USA. May 2009.

Girls play in the playground of...o, California, USA. April 2001.

29 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Girls play in the playground of John Marshall Elementary School in East San Diego, one of the poorest neighborhoods of the city. The public school provides education for children from at least twenty different nationalities, many of whom are new immigrants to the U.S. and have a learning delay. That is why great emphasis is put on reading and math education. For 84 percent of the students English is not the language they speak at home. They live in two cultures.
San Diego, California, USA. April 2001.

A boy learns how to read at Joh... California, USA. January 2001.

30 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

A boy learns how to read at John Marshall Elementary School.
San Diego, California, USA. January 2001.

Rhonda at John Marshall Element... California, USA. January 2001.

31 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Rhonda at John Marshall Elementary School.
San Diego, California, USA. January 2001.

Lunch time at John Marshall Ele... California, USA. January 2001.

32 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Lunch time at John Marshall Elementary School in East San Diego, one of the poorest neighborhoods of the city. The public school provides education for children from at least twenty different nationalities, many of whom are new immigrants to the U.S. and have a learning delay. That is why great emphasis is put on reading and math education. For 84 percent of the students English is not the language they speak at home. They live in two cultures.
San Diego, California, USA. January 2001.

Reading Capital by Karl Marx on...the photo story School Bus 14.

33 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Reading Capital by Karl Marx on school bus 14.
Marlboro, Vermont, USA. January 2000.

From the photo story School Bus 14.

The Kiss. Brattleboro, Vermont,...the photo story School Bus 14 .

34 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

The Kiss.
Brattleboro, Vermont, USA. January 2000.

From the photo story School Bus 14.

Homeward. Marlboro, Vermont, US...the photo story School Bus 14.

35 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Homeward.
Marlboro, Vermont, USA. January 2000.

From the photo story School Bus 14.

The Patio Cafe. Strasburg, Colo...he photo story The Patio Cafe.

36 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

The Patio Cafe.
Strasburg, Colorado, USA. June 2004.

From the photo story The Patio Cafe.

Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo. Lon..., Washington. USA. August 2004.

37 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo.
Longview, Washington. USA. August 2004.

Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo Quee..., Washington. USA. August 2004.

38 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo Queen Jessica West riding her 23 years old pinto horse Bitzy.
Longview, Washington. USA. August 2004.

West Pawnee Ranch, on the horiz...over, Colorado, USA. June 2004.

39 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

West Pawnee Ranch, on the horizon the Rocky Mountains.
Grover, Colorado, USA. June 2004.

Owen (5) ready to ride home aft...over, Colorado, USA. June 2004.

40 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Owen (5) ready to ride home after visiting his grandparents at their West Pawnee Ranch, four miles from the Pawnee National Grasslands, where still a lot of traces from settlement by the Cheyenne Indians can be found. Owen's grandparents started their farm as homesteaders in the 1950s. Despite his young age, the boy already rides his big horse like a grown up. The spurs on his boots are decorated with his name. He lives with his parents on another cattle ranch nearby and grows up as a cowboy.
Grover, Colorado, USA. June 2004.

Henry (2) is sleeping in his fa... photo project The Other Farm.

41 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Henry (2) is sleeping in his father’s truck at Lilac Ridge Farm. He is often taken in tow by his father or granddad while they are working on their dairy and vegetable farm. He is just as comfortable sleeping in their farm vehicles as in his own bed.
Brattleboro, Vermont, USA. July 2005.

From the photo project The Other Farm.

Missy (15) getting her hair don...From the photo story The Prom.

42 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Missy (15) getting her hair done at the salon-at-home of one of her mother’s friends in preparation for the Prom. She is a sophomore at Golden High School, and got invited by a boy who is a junior. Missy’s older sister Mindy will attend as well with her boyfriend. They are both seniors, it’s their graduation Prom.
Golden, Colorado, USA. May 1998.

From the photo story The Prom.

Students of Golden High School ...From the photo story The Prom.

43 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Students of Golden High School in the Arvada Art Center on Prom-night.
Arvada, Colorado, USA. May 1998.

From the photo story The Prom.

The Prom of Golden High School ...From the photo story The Prom.

44 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

The Prom of Golden High School at the Arvada Art Center.
Arvada, Colorado, USA. May 1998.

From the photo story The Prom.

Pacific Beach. San Diego, Calif...the photo story Pacific Beach.

45 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Pacific Beach.
San Diego, California, USA. June 1998.

From the photo story Pacific Beach.

Pacific Beach. San Diego, Calif...the photo story Pacific Beach.

46 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Pacific Beach.
San Diego, California, USA. June 1998.

From the photo story Pacific Beach.

Native American baby Teak (1) s.... From the photo story Powwow.

47 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Native American baby Teak (1) sits in his high chair in the house of his parents, eating a pizza. Next to him the Grass Dance powwow costume of his older brother Tylor (8) is ready to be ironed for the 9th Northern Colorado Intertribal Powwow. A powwow is an event for Native American people to meet and dance, sing, socialize, and honor their culture. There is a dancing competition, often with significant prize money awarded.
Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. June 2001.

From the photo story Powwow.

Tylor (18) helps his younger br.... From the photo story Powwow.

48 of 48 © 2024 Ellen Kok

Tylor (18) helps his younger brother Teak (11) getting dressed into his Prairie Chicken Dance costume during the annual Denver March Powwow. It is one of the most important events on the Indian calendar. Native Americans from all over the U.S. gather there to meet family and friends, honor their culture, and dance. Tylor himself gave up on dancing, he is involved with the powwow music now. Teak’s costume has been handmade and the regalia he is wearing have been beaded by their mother, inspired by traditional Lakota design.
Denver, Colorado, USA. March 2011.

From the photo story Powwow.

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Thumbnail of Estela (on the right), her young_The Farmworkers' Children.

Thumbnail of Mexican children have drawn a ho_The Farmworkers' Children.

Thumbnail of A Mexican family eats a meal of _The Farmworkers' Children.

Thumbnail of A Mexican migrant farmworker and_he Farmworkers' Children .

Thumbnail of A young Xoloitzcuintli, a Mexica_he Farmworkers' Children .

Thumbnail of Bull Dogs, Saturday football tra_, Colorado, USA. September 1997.

Thumbnail of Friends at the Chicago River dur_icago, Illinois, USA. June 1999.

Thumbnail of Students of Connie's School_o,Colorado, USA. September 1997.

Thumbnail of Boulder County Fair and Live Sto_ont, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

Thumbnail of Homecoming Parade of Golden High_, Colorado, USA. September 1997.

Thumbnail of A young father undresses his new_hoto story Nurses for Newborns.

Thumbnail of Juliana (18), Emily (14), and Cr_oto story Boxing Against Gangs.

Thumbnail of During a game of sparring in the_oto story Boxing Against Gangs.

Thumbnail of Vietnam Memorial. Washington DC, USA. January 1998.

Thumbnail of Boulder County Fair and Live Sto_ont, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

Thumbnail of Hometown Days. Strasburg, Colorado, USA. August 1997.

Thumbnail of Halloween. Boulder, Colorado, USA. October 1997.

Thumbnail of Halloween. Boulder, Colorado, USA. October 1997.

Thumbnail of Robin, cheerleader of The Golden_97. From the photo story Cheer!

Thumbnail of Christa, Mindy en Jamie (from th_97. From the photo story Cheer!

Thumbnail of Jamie, a member of The Golden De_97. From the photo story Cheer!

Thumbnail of April, a member of The Golden De_97. From the photo story Cheer!

Thumbnail of Cheerleaders of the Golden Demon_97. From the photo story Cheer!

Thumbnail of Teresa, on her shoulders Missy, _997 From the photo story Cheer!

Thumbnail of Ben (16) and his sister Jennifer_ington, Virginia, USA. May 2008.

Thumbnail of A freshman of Norwich University_. From the photo story Rookies.

Thumbnail of Freshmen, camouflage make-up on _. From the photo story Rookies.

Thumbnail of United States Air Force Honor Gu_e. Washington DC, USA. May 2009.

Thumbnail of Girls play in the playground of _go, California, USA. April 2001.

Thumbnail of A boy learns how to read at John_, California, USA. January 2001.

Thumbnail of Rhonda at John Marshall Elementa_, California, USA. January 2001.

Thumbnail of Lunch time at John Marshall Elem_, California, USA. January 2001.

Thumbnail of Reading Capital by Karl Marx on _ the photo story School Bus 14.

Thumbnail of The Kiss. Brattleboro, Vermont, _ the photo story School Bus 14 .

Thumbnail of Homeward. Marlboro, Vermont, USA_ the photo story School Bus 14.

Thumbnail of The Patio Cafe. Strasburg, Color_the photo story The Patio Cafe.

Thumbnail of Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo. Long_w, Washington. USA. August 2004.

Thumbnail of Thunder Mountain Pro Rodeo Queen_w, Washington. USA. August 2004.

Thumbnail of West Pawnee Ranch, on the horizo_rover, Colorado, USA. June 2004.

Thumbnail of Owen (5) ready to ride home afte_rover, Colorado, USA. June 2004.

Thumbnail of Henry (2) is sleeping in his fat_e photo project The Other Farm.

Thumbnail of Missy (15) getting her hair done_ From the photo story The Prom.

Thumbnail of Students of Golden High School i_ From the photo story The Prom.

Thumbnail of The Prom of Golden High School a_ From the photo story The Prom.

Thumbnail of Pacific Beach. San Diego, Califo_ the photo story Pacific Beach.

Thumbnail of Pacific Beach. San Diego, Califo_ the photo story Pacific Beach.

Thumbnail of Native American baby Teak (1) si_1. From the photo story Powwow.

Thumbnail of Tylor (18) helps his younger bro_1. From the photo story Powwow.

Public Story

American Moments

Copyright Ellen Kok 2024

Date of Work Jan 1996 - Ongoing

Updated Jun 2022

Location USA

Topics Americana, Children, Culture stories, Documentary, Photography, Teens, USA, Youth

By photographing young Americans in their daily lives since 1996, I am, as a European photographer and writer, looking for an answer to the question: What does it mean to be an American? The young people in my photos are still finding out for themselves, consciously or not, how to become a member of American society. I am hoping to learn from them.

This ongoing book project, with the working title American Moments, has had several offshoots, subjects that I intended to work on for a few weeks, but that ended up engaging me for months or even years. My books Cadets, You’ll Hear Us Roar, and The Other Farm all originally were meant to be part of American Moments. Some of the project's photo stories have been published in Dutch media over the years to make money to be able to continue working on it.

Because of the life span of the project I was able to revisit several of my main characters after a number of years and make updates about the progress of their lives.

American Moments, the book, will contain photo stories, single photos, as well as written narratives.

3,880

Also by Ellen Kok —

The Final Days of a Dairy Farm

Ellen Kok / Kamerik, The Netherlands

Mar 6, 2000 - Mar 31, 2000

Farming for the Neighbors

Ellen Kok / USA, New Hampshire; The Netherlands, Linschoten

Sep 11, 2021 - Ongoing

I Have a Tribe, They Are Only Americans

Ellen Kok / USA, Colorado, Fort Collins, Loveland, Denver

Jun 1, 2001 - Mar 20, 2011

The Laundromat

Ellen Kok / USA, New Hampshire, Vermont

Aug 30, 2008 - Ongoing

Cadets

Ellen Kok / USA

Oct 2, 2010 - Jun 4, 2013

Drewsville & Beyond

Ellen Kok / USA

Oct 3, 2010 - Ongoing

On the Land

Ellen Kok / The Netherlands

Jun 30, 2005 - Apr 14, 2006

You'll Hear Us Roar

Ellen Kok / USA

Aug 30, 2013 - May 5, 2014

You Are a Girl and You Want to Milk Cows

Ellen Kok / The Netherlands

Jan 1, 1995 - Jan 1, 2005

School

Ellen Kok / Woerden, The Netherlands

Jan 23, 2001 - Sep 4, 2002

A Very Personal Animal

Ellen Kok / The Netherlands

Apr 1, 2000 - Sep 16, 2000

Farewell, With Elegance

Ellen Kok / USA, Vermont, Springfield

Apr 30, 2017 - Jan 15, 2020

The Other Farm

Ellen Kok / USA, The Netherlands

May 25, 2004 - Jul 11, 2015

With God and Ayudante Across Guatemala

Ellen Kok / Guatemala

Feb 24, 2007 - Feb 28, 2007

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