These days I’m exploring Africa and its diverse cultures. I photographed Tuazikirapi and her little boy in Opuwo, a small town in north-western Namibia. She is an ethnic Zemba and, following the tradition, her boy will have a name only after a special ritual will be performed around a Holy Fire. In this part of the world, fire is an essential part of the cultures for both spiritual and practical needs. Tuazikirapi carries firewood on her head every single day, even now when she has just become a mother. Zemba people came here as refugees from the neighbouring Angola and selling firewood became their only way to make a living. Despite all challenges, Tuazikirapi has dignity, a splendid smile and a great sense of style. Women like her are usually unknown, but for me they are true heroines.

This week I will be posting some of the most iconic photos from The Atlas of Beauty. Now I need your support to continue the project. Every donation could mean a new amazing portrait and a new fabulous story. Link in bio! ——————— We met in August 2019, in Reykjavík, Iceland. Ragga is a force of nature. She’s been part of a unique expedition at the South Pole, she drove huge trucks with tourists on glaciers, she worked in mountain rescue teams and as an EMT, and now works as a firefighter, all of these while being a dedicated mother too. She grew up with her three older brothers and although she was the only girl and the youngest in the family, her parents never treated her differently. Maybe this kind of education is one of the reasons why Iceland is considered the best country in the world in terms of gender equality. But Ragga told me that even here, in the most equal place on earth, there are still some prejudices regarding women working in fields dominated by men. But as you can imagine, nothing will ever stop this extraordinary woman from following her path.

She is Marzieh, one of the strongest women I have ever met. I took this photo a while ago, in Iran and today, after having her consent, I decided to post it. Marzieh was driving in Isfahan, Iran, six years ago, when two men on a motorcycle came close to her car. One of them threw acid on her face and then they ran away. Police never caught them, although the street was surveyed by video cameras. There were a few other similar cases in Isfahan, in the same year, and the perpetrators have never been caught. All these horrible acts were directed towards women who were not wearing conservative outfits. Many Iranians believe that these attacks were made in complicity with different authorities to discourage women from adopting a more liberal way of dressing. But both national and local authorities denied any involvement. Today Marzieh is trying to raise awareness about these terrible attacks and advocates for the ban of acid sales. Although she started to cry when she remembered that horrible day, she wanted to tell me the whole story. Then she smiled again. It was the smile of a powerful woman, who found the strength and courage to overcome the suffering and to fight for her cause every single day, so this would not happen again to other women. Dear Marzieh, incredible women like you are the reason I’m doing this project. Thank you so much for showing me the purest form of beauty.

Edna Adan is an activist and pioneer in the struggle for the abolition of female genital mutilation(FGM). FGM is a widespread practice in many parts of the world involving the cutting or removal of the external female genitalia. Right now there are more than 200 million women from 30 countries that had been subjected to one or more types of FGM. FGM is typically carried out on girls before they reach puberty, ranging from infancy to adolescence. It is usually initiated and carried out by women, who see it as a source of honor, and who fear that failing to have their daughters and granddaughters cut will expose the girls to social exclusion. Edna herself experienced the trauma of FGM. Her father was an eminent doctor who opposed the practice. When Edna was 8 years old and her father was on a business trip, her mother and grandmother arranged the procedure, fearing that the little girl would be stigmatized and considered unfit for marriage later. The consequences of FGM can range from immediate complications such as severe pain, bleeding, infections, and even death, to long-term health issues including chronic pain, urinary problems, childbirth complications, and psychological trauma. Wanting to prevent other women from undergoing the same trauma she did, Edna trained as a nurse and midwife in the United Kingdom and returned to her country to work relentlessly to eradicate the practice. For decades, Edna has been actively educating communities, conducting awareness campaigns, and providing support and resources to those affected by FGM. She established a maternity hospital in Somaliland that offers essential maternal and child healthcare services free of charge, saving thousands of lives. At 85 years old, Edna currently resides in the hospital, devoting every moment of her life to supporting those in need. It was there that I had the honor of photographing her and expressing two heartfelt words: Thank you! Thank you, Edna, for making this world a better place.

India always welcomes me with incredible people. I met this young Ladakhi woman in Ladakh. Insha wanted to show me her favorite place around her hometown, Leh, and that's how we ended up here, just before sunset. The Himalayas and the surrounding mountain ranges are a home to incredible ethnic diversity. These majestic mountain ranges have helped preserve ancient traditions, languages, and ethnicities for centuries. However, not even the highest mountains can preserve this kind of treasure any longer. Unfortunately, our world is becoming less and less diverse. Yet, I feel privileged that I still have the chance to capture some of this valuable heritage in my photos.

I photographed Jamila in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2021. Her story is filled with many painful episodes, but today you have the chance to make a positive contribution to it. Maybe your support will change her life, so please read on till the end! I vividly recall the day I met Jamila. While photographing her, the sound of gunshots echoed in the background. I was so stressed, but she remained remarkably calm, as gunshots were unfortunately a common occurrence in Kabul during that period. Jamila grew up in a family of eight siblings and had to start working at an early age to support her beloved ones. At the time we met, she was working in an office, enduring a two-hour commute each way, every day. However, her true passion was acting, and whenever she had the chance, she participated in various projects, including independent films and photoshoots. A few weeks after our meeting, Kabul and the entire Afghanistan fell under the control of the Taliban. From that moment, almost all Afghan women found themselves in a desperate situation. But for Jamila, as an ethnic Hazara with an artistic background, the danger was even greater. Fortunately, Jamila managed to escape the country, first fleeing to Pakistan and then traveling to Bangladesh. Her escape alone could be the subject of a separate story. After arriving in Bangladesh, Jamila tirelessly searched for ways to fulfil her dream and pursue an acting career. Recently, she received her letter of acceptance to a foundation acting course at the prestigious Juilliard School. Now, she urgently needs support to cover the tuition fees and other expenses associated with this opportunity. She has less than a week to raise the necessary funds, as she must pay the course fees by September 18. Jamila believes that this course will be a strong reference for her to apply to the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the Juilliard School, which is her dream for the near future. Today, she kindly asks for your support to take this first step. Please follow the link in bio to contribute. Maybe someday you'll see her in a movie or a play and you'll say to yourself, "I supported this amazing woman at the beginning of her career.”

AMAZING NEWS! My second book is ready, and it's already available for pre-order in the USA and CANADA. More countries will follow. GIRLS OF THE WORLD is the perfect gift for any girl in this world, but also a great book for every mother and father of a girl, for every educator, and for anybody who is interested in the diversity of our world. This collection of portraits and moving stories, never seen before, shows us that all girls are awesome in their own special way. The book will be released on November 7, but if you know you will be ordering one, please pre-order it today. A good number of pre-orders is essential for the success of the book. The book is so unique and I’m sure you’ll love it. Link in bio!

Kashmir, a region with a captivating ethnic diversity, is home to many fascinating communities. Parveena and her daughter, Rubeena, are part of an ethnic group known as Gujjar. During the summer, they live high in the mountains alongside their cattle, surrounded by the beauty of nature. However, as winter approaches, they migrate to the warmer valleys. The life of these people is challenging, but, like many traditional communities, they maintain a deep connection with spirituality, which gives them strength and hope. For instance, little Rubeena wears a Ta’wiz around her neck, a special amulet containing a few verses from the Quran. I took this photo a few weeks ago in the Indian-administered Kashmir.

Living in Northern Pakistan's Kalasha Valleys, the Kalash people have a captivating and distinct culture. A splendid hallmark of their culture is the traditional attire worn by women in every moment of their lives. Shahardana spends her summer days spinning wool next to the field. At her age, she can't work on the field anymore, but she loves to stay close to it. Here she can socialise with the younger people of the village who work on the field. This way she never gets bored and also has the chance to share some of her wisdom with the younger generation. In the end, this is one of the ways culture and traditions are passed down through generations.

Deep in the jungle of Peru, Daniela met shamans who completely changed her life. Her spiritual journey brought her to different places of South and North America. She has been under the guidance of different indigenous elders and collected rare traditional wind instruments, while also exploring and celebrating her own indigenous ancestry. Today she lives in California and organises fascinating ceremonies, offerings and retreats. There is where I met her in May.

How would you imagine a female stand-up comedian? Well, Fatiha defies all stereotypes. Born in London to Moroccan parents 41 years ago, Fatiha grew up in a family of 13 siblings. Her life has been like a roller coaster, with its ups and downs. She experienced the loss of her father at the age of 6, went through two divorces, and even spent some time living in homeless shelters. However, she always overcame the challenges. After her second divorce, Fatiha was searching for a way to start a new life. By chance, she found a course teaching the basics of comedy writing and performance. That course changed her life. Today, she is a respected comedian who earns a living through her shows. Her sketches are dealing with everything from marriage and divorce to Islamophobia. With each performance, Fatiha defies misconceptions, proving that one can be both a proud Muslim woman and a successful stand-up comedian.

I photographed Kunjan, a young singer, next to the beautiful Phewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal, in 2022. Next week I will return to South Asia to visit Pakistan and remote areas of Northern India. Then I will continue to Central Asia with Uzbekistan. Can’t wait to be back on the road.