TCF Ep. 394 - Ada Trillo

The Candid Frame: Conversations on Photography

Ada Trillo is a Philadelphia-based artist who was born and raised on the Mexican/American border. She had long wanted to do a body of work which focused on the social problems in Mexico to raise awareness and try to make a difference. Several years ago, she was afforded the opportunity to capture a series of photographs centering on the lives of prostitutes in her hometown of Juarez, Mexico. This series was meant to depict and problematize the adversity these women must overcome in their daily lives. She discovered that the majority of the girls in the brothels are not from Juarez but from different parts of the country who had arrived in Juarez with the hopes of emigrating to the US. Many of them arrived with their families and were left behind. Others had been abducted. Ada wants to emphasize that she likes these women, and wants others to understand their circumstances. They have no healthcare and no access to rehabilitation. If they cannot attract clients, they go without food. Ada is carrying out this project because she wants to document an ugly reality that must be exposed. She also hopes to raise funds for the nuns to help more girls and to collaborate with the Coalition Against Trafficking Women, an international organization dedicated to protecting human rights. This series and experience has greatly humbled her and I hope that it will have an impact, moving viewers to want to make a difference as well. Resources: Download the free Candid Frame app for your favorite smart device. Click here to download for . Click here to download Click here to download for Support the work we do at The Candid Frame with contributing to our Patreon effort. You can do this by visiting or visiting the website and clicking on the Patreon button. You can also provide a one-time donation via . You can follow Ibarionex on and .