When I was a sophomore at Temple University I took a family trip to Colombia and experienced my mother’s homeland for the first time. The trip was a life changing experience, opening my eyes to a part of my culture I never understood or accepted. I found I wanted to explore Colombia to better understand it. Abriendo Ojos (Opening your Eyes) is a collection of photographs I've taken from all over Colombia during the past 20 years.

Included in the book is work from three other Colombian artists with whom I've started a foundation called Cuatro Cuatros (Four Fourths) that teaches photography and art to underprivileged children in the City of Cali. Finally, there are photographs by my Colombian students that I've been working with for the past four years. Proceeds from the sale of this book will help support this effort.