When the lens tells a child's story

On the roads of Lao Cai highlands, the images of innocent children, as pure as the first sunlight of the day, are always an endless source of inspiration for photographers. Not only simply capturing beautiful moments, photos of children in the highlands also carry a profound humanistic message about the life, determination and aspirations of children from lands with many difficulties.

Mr. Vu Van Nguyen, a member of the Photography Association, Lao Cai Province Literature and Arts Association, currently lives and works in Bao Ha Commune, Bao Yen District. As a propagandist in an area with a large number of ethnic minorities, he has many opportunities to come into contact with remote villages, where traditional culture is still preserved in its original form. It is also here that he has encountered the innocent eyes and pure smiles of highland children, vivid materials for him to create many photos with a strong sense of humanity.

Some photos of children taken by author Vu Van Nguyen.

Mr. Nguyen captured those images through his lens and received much love from viewers. However, the most precious thing for him is being welcomed and loved by the children.

For Mr. Nguyen, each photo of children is not simply a work of art but also a memory associated with time, a story behind the frame. The clear eyes, bare feet, and simple games have become vivid materials for emotional, authentic photos.

Unlike Mr. Nguyen's enthusiasm, retired teacher Doan Hai Uyen in Pho Lu town, Bao Thang district, approaches the topic of children with a quiet and persistent approach. Starting taking photos in 2013 with the desire to preserve her daughter's childhood moments, from family photos, she was gradually drawn to the frames in the highlands, especially with children, a journey that she calls "preserving with memories".

For Ms. Uyen, each photo is not only a work of art but also a story, a slice of life carrying emotions, reminding the photographer of a journey. Ms. Uyen does not chase after neat frames. What she looks for when taking pictures of children is emotion, naturalness through facial expressions, eyes, smiles... "I remember a very cold winter in Y Ty, covered in fog and ice, we were walking on the road when we saw a boy holding a cup of water running towards us. His face was red from the cold but he was holding the cup of water tightly and running quickly on the road. I managed to capture this moment, until now, it is still the photo I remember the most, because I was a little worried that the boy was not wearing enough warm clothes in the cold weather", Ms. Uyen shared.

Some photos taken by Ms. Hai Uyen of children in the highlands.

For Duong Toan - who has many photographic works on the subject of children participating in exhibitions, including the work that won the B prize of the Lao Cai Provincial Literature and Arts Award in 2024, taking photos of children in the highlands is both an attractive and challenging topic.

Duong Toan's work won the B prize of Lao Cai Provincial Literature and Arts Award in 2024.

In his photo works about children in the highlands, he mostly took pictures of them participating in folk games such as playing tu lu, tug of war, jumping rope, etc. Some of Toan's works capture images of children in the highlands who are still facing many difficulties and deprivation. Viewers sympathized with him, came to him and took practical actions to share with the characters in the photos.

In fact, artistic photos of children in the highlands not only enrich the spiritual and cultural life, but also contribute to changing the perspective of society. Each photo is a message about the opportunity to access education , about living conditions, but also praises the will, purity and aspiration to rise up. When spread properly, the photos not only move viewers but also arouse responsibility, whether it is just a word of sharing or more importantly, sustainable support policies from the community and organizations.

Some photos by author Duong Toan taken of children in the highlands.

Children in the highlands are not only a creative subject, but also a humane journey that photographers silently pursue. Each time they press the shutter, they listen, understand and send hope for a brighter future to the innocent eyes in the great forest.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/khi-ong-kinh-ke-chuyen-tre-tho-post403060.html