Life Without Lights

Global Flashlight Portraits

The faces of some of the 1.4 billion people who live without electricity, illuminated with flashlights. This section will be constantly added to as I travel.

Manuel and Dorris in Pajarito Mesa, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
   
The women and children of the Abubakari household pose for a portrait lit with flashlights in Voggu, Northern Region, Ghana. Women bear the heaviest burden of living without electricity, as they must walk for miles to fetch firewood and bring grains to nearby villages to be processed by electronic machinery.
   
"John" (not his real name) in his flat in Birmingham, England. Having recently lost his job, and homeless until just a few weeks ago, John lives off jobseekers benefits and struggles to pay his bills. For each large purchase he makes - such as the winter coat seen in the background - he has to plan for days without use of electricity.
     
  
Nashmil Aziz Rashid, her brother-in-law, Khalaf Mohammed Qochakh, and the children of their household in Binika, Kurdistan, Iraq.
   
Abukari Mohammed, Baamunu Adam, Nasiba Salifu, and Baba Alhassan in Voggu, Northern Region, Ghana.
   
Ana Maria Mendoya Aluidia, age 6, and Roxana Aluidia, age 14, in Pajarito Mesa, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
     
  
Arishe Abukari in Voggu, Northern Region, Ghana.
   
Abubakari Iddrisu and Musah Iddrisu in Voggu, Northern Region, Ghana.
   
A group of young boys in Voggu, Northern Region, Ghana.
     
  
Richard Latham poses for a portrait lit with flashlights in his home in Solihull, England. When Richard's wife left him four years ago, she left behind a £400 energy bill that he is unable to pay off. He has not used heat in his home since then, and very rarely turns on light or electrical appliances, for fear of increasing his debt. "I'm a bit paranoid about power," he says.
   
Yussifu Salamatu in Voggu, Northern Region, Ghana.
   
Najma Ismajil Mohammed, age 74, in Nawjool, Kurdistan, Iraq.
     
  
Bernadette Soto in Pajarito Mesa, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
   
A girl and boy in Voggu, Northern Region, Ghana.
   
Voggu, Northern Region, Ghana.