Photographers have a magical ability to transport us to hidden worlds, giving us intimate access to facets of society that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Above photograph © Marcela Taboada

In today’s podcast, we sit down with Mexican photographer Marcela Taboada, whose long-term documentary projects offer revealing glimpses into underrecognized communities, for Picturing World Cultures.

Combining a passion for making pictures that let her “see backstage,” with a knack for “knocking doors” and the tenacity to win over resistant subjects, Marcela gained rare access to photograph the daily lives of Mexico’s cloistered nuns. Follow her painstaking process and learn the secret to her acceptance as the nuns’ photography godmother during our chat.    

We also discuss her series “Women of Clay,” documenting the enterprising women of a Mixtec village, who singlehandedly rebuilt their homes after an earthquake using Adobe bricks and a process taught by a Mexican architect.

Along the way, Marcela shares insights about the challenges of pursuing a photography career as a single mother with young children and reveals the lessons she learned from seeing aspects of her own story reflected in the lives of her subjects. 
If you haven’t already listened, check out all the episodes of our Picturing World Cultures podcast series here.
Guest: Marcela Taboada
Episode Timeline:

2:21: Marcela’s process in making pictures that let her “see backstage.” 

5:15: A childhood memory and her fascination with viewing the stars from an observatory built by her great uncle. 

10:16: Marcela’s introduction to cameras and the darkroom by photographing family trips.

13:24: University studies and a photo series inspired by her great aunt entering a Mexican nursing home. 

18:13: Marcela’s photo gear and juggling her early photo career while raising two children as a single mother.

22:52: Marcela’s photo series Women of Clay, about a community of enterprising women who rebuilt their homes after an earthquake.

35:19: Episode Break

36:30: Marcela’s project Consecrated, and some background on Catholic monasteries in Mexico.

43:46: The seven orders of Mexican cloistered nuns, Marcela’s long process to gain access to photograph, and the miracle that finally convinced the nuns to let her in.

53:51: Marcela’s role as photography godmother for the Conceptionist order, and her approach to photographing the lives of the nuns.

1:00:38: The decision to photograph in color with a lightweight Sony RX camera for quiet operation and a contemporary look. 

1:02:31: The nuns’ reaction to Marcela’s pictures and the ways in which they’ve adapted to 21st century life.

1:08:09: Marcela Taboada answers our PWC Visual Questionnaire.

Guest Bio: Marcela Taboada is a freelance photographer based in Oaxaca, Mexico since 1986. After initial studies in graphic design, she became drawn to photographing diverse communities for long-term stories that let her see backstage. Marcela has received both national and international accolades, including a Hasselblad Foundation scholarship, a National Geographic All Roads Photography Award, and Mexico's most prestigious art grant, the National System of Art Creators Award, which she received twice. Her photographs have been featured in solo and group exhibitions within Mexico and the United States, Europe, and Asia. Marcela has taught photography at universities, in high schools and in specialized workshops. Additionally, for 16 years she served as producer for American photographer Mary Ellen Mark’s Annual Oaxaca Photo Workshops. 

Stay Connected:
Marcela Taboada Website: https://www.marcelataboada.com/
Marcela Taboada’s National Geographic story: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/photo-story-consecrated-mexico-monasteries/

End Credits:
Senior Creative Producer & Host: Jill Waterman

Senior Technical Producer: Mike Weinstein

Theme Music: Gabriel Richards

Executive Producer: Richard Stevens