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Hana receives a blessing of holy water from her father, Kes Hailemariam, a priest. ⠀ This kind of photo must be shot in the right way. It requires trust between subject and photographer. Those receiving blessings of holy water from the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church are often nude, and it is a spiritual moment. It is not acceptable to shoot without permission. I was able to take this photograph of Hana at Lake Ziway because the priest is her father, Kes Hailemariam. After many collaborations photographing the church, we consider him and Hana like family friends. ⠀ People make pilgrimage from all around the lake. The sick, crippled, misfortunate, or just believers seeking a holy blessing. Sitting down with people, showing them your images, & explaining what all of this is for can go a long way. What would be impossible becomes very easy. Kes Hailemariam was proud to see both himself and his family included in a book that includes other regions of Ethiopia and other faiths because the portrayal is always the same: respect and dignity. ⠀ From my forthcoming book ETHIOPIA, which contains over 13 years of my work from the country. 📸 Link in bio. ⠀ 📍 Lake Ziway / Batu, Oromia Region, Ethiopia