jaisalmer desert

the boys came out of nowhere, approaching ben and instantly asking for their picture taken. he obliged and this is the result. a few rupee's in the top pocket and off they went, disappearing over the dunes. 

although this was a quick business transaction, similar to those that take place all over the world in impoverished areas between tourists and locals - to me it's as if those boys sold more than a holiday snap in that split second. there's something in their eyes, their expressions and the way they've posed like hollywood gangsters that speaks volumes about their lives. to me, this is their life story.

photographer: ben tucker
location: jaisalmer desert, india