Tibet–1993

This is one of my favourite child portraits. I was traveling through a barren part of Tibet when I spotted a woman walking with two young children, in a scene I can only describe as being straight out of a storybook. I stopped the car, requested their permission, and I began to photograph all three.

It was the girl’s hat, with its pink colour and flower that drew me to her. She didn’t seem bothered at all by my presence and the camera, and I was so focused that I honestly don’t remember her running nose. Now I see it as a critical element in this photo. Nothing could look more innocent.