This is Yasmin, gently holding the hand of her son as they enjoy a beautiful day. You can see the stack of books she has checked out from the local library, as well as her head covering, indicating that she is a practicing Muslim. Her expression is cheerful and natural, revealing her genuine kindness, and her stance has quiet assurance around her, which communicates her confidence in who she is. I admire her sincerity, which makes her both a good friend and an amazing mother.

For this prompt, I photographed a bowl of avocados with the lighting at a low angle, which emphasizes the bumpy texture of avocados. This represents how my culture has been shaped by living in the Bay Area. I value the temperate weather, diversity of neighbors, and healthy living that California offers me. As I’ve grown up here, I’ve had many neighbors and friends who have avocado trees. Some of my favorite foods my latino friends have shared with me, including guacamole, have avocados as a main ingredient. Also, the access to local produce here allows us to eat more fresh food. I am grateful that I live in a place with access to this amazing food.