Canon Camera

They sit in the quiet, carrying the weight of countless untold stories. They are the keepers of a strength that doesn’t shout, that doesn’t seek validation. Their silence is not emptiness; it is filled with the echoes of lives lived through struggle, love, loss, and endurance. In their eyes rests the wisdom of survival, of knowing that the world is often harsh, yet they endure without complaint. They have seen dreams weathered and hopes rebuilt, and through it all, they remain—steady, grounded, refusing to yield.

This photo, titled "Vejigantes Reflections," was taken by my little sister when she was 18. I asked her to capture the first image in my photography series, where I depict characters inspired by our Puerto Rican carnival, rooted in our ancestors and the diverse ecosystems of the island. It is the most special piece in the series called *Carnaval Carnal*, reflecting Puerto Rico’s rich carnival traditions in the crystal-clear waters of a natural spring.