AÏTO

I took this image in Tahiti mid 2024. Upon meeting Aïto I quickly realized he was a man with a gentle heart and incredibly thick skin. We met Aïto, on the beach near his home. We sat with him as he told us the tales behind his tattoos, singing traditional songs he played to the tune of an old guitar, while the sun set in the distance I asked him if I could take a photograph with him. He was hesitant at first but was soon convinced as we became more comfortable together.

We walked along the waters edge and he explained that he wanted these images, his stories and traditions to be shared with as many people as possible. He came across as a person blinded by the changing world around him, by choice that is. A man more content and happy than most I have ever met. “AÏTO”.