Erika Morillo

OLIVIA'S ROOTS

In 2017, I was invited to document a week-long quinceañera celebration happening between Los Angeles and Tijuana, Mexico. What I experienced was much more than a quinceañera party. These are some photos from my documentation of Olivia's Roots.

Olivia looks out the plane window on her way to Los Angeles for her quinceañera party.

The sun sets as Olivia arrives to Boyle Heights, a primarily Mexican neighborhood where her mother grew up and where she escapes the New York City summer heat every other year.

Doña Ofelia, Olivia's grandmother, welcomes us with her homemade chilaquiles and frijoles, the family's favorite.

Homemade chilaquiles. According to Olivia’s mom, nobody makes frijoles like her mother.

PEPPY

I asked a stranger in the street in New York City if I could take a portrait of her in her home. This is what I learned about her.

PEPPY

I asked a stranger in the street in New York City if I could take a portrait of her in her home. This is what I learned about her.

OLIVIA'S ROOTS

OLIVIA'S ROOTS​

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OLIVIA'S ROOTS