Jennifer Gregg

A group of children pose for the camera outside a restaurant in Mumbai. This is one of my favorite photos of the year. There's a story in every element, most of which contradict each other.

A little girl walks a tightrope on a street in Mumbai in the hopes that tourists, like myself, will pay for the entertainment. Taken nearly a year ago, I remain conflicted about this photograph to this day.

A group of children clamor to see themselves on the back of the camera. Simply joys, despite the hardships.

A little girl in Mumbai with serious eyes that say she has a world of experience beyond her years.

A little girl, possibly sitting next to all of her worldly goods, smiles at me across the platform in the Chhatrapati Shivaji train station in Mumbai. 

We arrived at this village by canoe in the backwaters of Kerala, India. This little boy and his grandparents welcomed us in without hesitation. I will never cease to be amazed at the hospitality I've received in India.

A woman blushes as I photograph her and her family in a village in the backwaters of Kerala, India.

I'm drawn to this photograph for its indeterminate meaning. He looks menacing, as if he means to intimidate her. And yet, maybe he was simply turning his face away from the tourist with the camera (that would be me). Or maybe he thought he knew her. This photograph reminds me that I don't always know the story, even when I was there.

I came across this tea house early one morning when I had ventured out alone. Getting our morning caffeine fix is universal it seems.

An elderly woman beckoned me into her home to proudly show me this wall of treasures in Kochi, India.

A beautiful young woman in an antique stall of the Chor Bazaar in Mumbai, India.

From the second I saw this fisherman enter the market, I wanted to take his photograph. He initially didn't seem receptive but when he turned around with money in hand from selling his catch and saw me still waiting, he gave me a nod.

A young man with paint splatters on his face takes a break in Hyderabad, India.

I fell in love with the light falling on her face, the vibrant color and the quiet strength in her eyes.

I'm drawn to contradictions. Here is new India and old India. Modern woman and traditional woman. She's wearing a James Blunt t-shirt and boarding a train older than she is. I loved that moment.

This photograph of such rich splendor spilling out the door in a dusty alley of Hyderabad, India reminds me that we never know what treasures lurk inside.

Street vendors are such a vibrant part of any trip to India. This gentleman sells his wares outside Charminar in Hyderabad.

I've written before about the elephants and my heart still breaks that such intelligent creatures are in captivity.

The hustle, bustle and cultural diversity in the neighborhood of Charminar in Hyderabad, India.

Just this little guy and the sea birds one early morning along the Colaba Causeway in Mumbai, India.

On April 25, 2016, I heard there would be both a rally and a protest taking place in downtown Raleigh regarding the newly passed and highly controversial HB2 law. On a lark, I headed downtown with my camera and ended up finding a new passion for political documentation that would last the rest of the year.

About 100 yards away from the previous photo and rally in support of HB2, protesters filled the NC Legislative building lobby with passionate chants for its immediate repeal.

This young man made his opinion on the matter clear as Reverend William Barber of the NAACP spoke out against HB2 in downtown Raleigh.

This young man wasn't having the best day. He seemed like he was off just a bit throughout the performance. Not quite in step with the girls. But then, came this moment. It was HIS moment. And he nailed it. He soared. It reminds me to find MY moment, make the most of it and not worry too much about the rest.

One early morning in September I couldn't sleep and wandered downtown. As the sun came up, I came across a group of performance artists blowing enormous bubbles in the plaza. This gentleman wandered up, looking as if he had a rough night. He sat for a long time and watched the bubbles. The contrast of those two realities has stuck with me ever since.

If you've never been to a Pride celebration, please go. It's one big party where everyone is invited, welcome and celebrated. Always one of the highlights of my year.

It was a humidly oppressive 95 degrees for this year's Durham Pride Parade but it didn't stop this Queen from looking regally fabulous. 

Love wins y'all.

Two men. Two beards. Two signs. Two very different messages. 

An artist sketches the story of HB2 during a protest in the NC Legislative building in downtown Raleigh.

In Raleigh to protest HB2, Kenton knew how to work the camera. It was great fun to photograph him as a break from the madness going on in the NC Legislature behind him.

I think this one speaks for itself.

I had never heard this phrase before "Love's the only engine of survival." Now more than ever, how true.

This is the only photograph gotten through illegal means. I came across this wall and its accompanying messages by wandering into an old warehouse slated for demolition. Taken in the midst of the election this Fall, it felt appropriate.