My journey in photo started in the newsroom…

I first used a camera capturing daily news in Long Island, New York in 2017 under the tutelage of award-winning photojournalists. For the years that followed, I would continue capturing important moments as a freelance photojournalist. Here are just a few photos from that period of my life.

 
 

Good times, but something was missing…

I built a diverse and exciting body of work, but I felt I wasn’t able to make a meaningful impact as someone bound to the ethical codes of journalism. And so I decided to start using my craft for campaigns that I believed in. That’s how I found Centro del Pueblo, a non-profit organization advocating for the rights of Indigenous migrants and Latinx communities in Humboldt County, CA.

 

William Dirks, helps his daughter, Ollin, walk between the garden beds on April 5, 2023, at the Sanctuary Garden in Arcata, CA. Marcus Villagran

 

Documenting the Latinx community in Humboldt County

In 2023, I began photographing cultural events and demonstrations led by Centro del Pueblo. Their programs included Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, a community food garden, baile folklórico, and story documentation for Latinx horticulturists. The work allowed me to develop more meaningful connections with the people I was working with; something I could not do as a journalist.

 

Ashley and Lorena, girls from the “Hermana Flor” group of Centro del Pueblo get ready for the Baile Flor de Piña performance on Oct. 20, 2023, in Old Town Eureka in Eureka, CA. Marcus Villagran

Julia Najera, member of the “Hermana Flor” group of Centro del Pueblo holds a pineapple for the Baile Flor de Piña performance on Oct. 20, 2023, in Old Town Eureka in Eureka, CA. Marcus Villagran

A group of women from Centro del Pueblo in the “Hermana Flor” group perform the Baile Flor de Piña on Oct. 20, 2023, in Old Town Eureka in Eureka, CA. Marcus Villagran

Sanctuary Garden Coordinator Adán Cervantes holds up marigold flowers on Oct. 28, 2023, at the Sanctuary Garden in Arcata, CA. in preparation for a Day of the Dead celebration. The flower also known as “cempasúchil” and “flowers of the dead,” is said to attract souls to altars or “ofrendas” dedicated to loved ones. Marcus Villagran

 

Centro del Pueblo build the “ofrenda” using marigold flowers, sugar skulls and a banner of Virgen de Guadalupe, for Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 28, 2023, at the Sanctuary Garden in Arcata, CA. Marcus Villagran

Carlos, a teenage volunteer for Centro del Pueblo, sits under a gazebo on Oct. 28, 2023, at the Sanctuary Garden in Arcata, CA. Marcus Villagran

Centro del Pueblo build the “ofrenda” using marigold flowers, sugar skulls and a banner of Virgen de Guadalupe, for Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 28, 2023, at the Sanctuary Garden in Arcata, CA. Marcus Villagran

Centro del Pueblo and community members walk towards the “ofrenda” inside of Jacoby’s Storehouse for Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 28, 2023, at Arcata Plaza in Arcata, CA. Marcus Villagran

Community members leave photos of deceased loved ones near the “ofrenda” for Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 28, 2023 in Arcata, CA. Marcus Villagran

A member of the baile folklórico dance group performs on Oct. 28, 2023, at Arcata Plaza in Arcata, CA. The dance originated in Mexico. Marcus Villagran

The teenage girls of baile folklórico pose ahead of their performance on Oct. 28, 2023, at Arcata Plaza in Arcata, CA. Marcus Villagran

Members of Centro del Pueblo pose in front of the community garden on November 19, 2023, in Arcata, CA. Marcus Villagran

 

It ends with tacos and dance

We managed to secure funding to use the photographs in a gallery exhibition. On April 20, 2024, Cal Poly Humboldt hosted “Echando Raíz,” a free cultural event and photo exhibition featuring dances, food and digital stories from the community about traditional agriculture.