“Pure Joy on Display”
Location: Panama
Date: March 2023
Photographer: Inga Smith
Affiliation: Alumni
Home Country: United States
Category: People
Award: Honorable Mention
2025 International Photography Exhibition
“On another cruise, we made a stop in Colon. Drawn by jubilant music being played somewhere, I came upon a group of young people performing on the dock. All the dancers clearly loved what they were doing, but I was especially captivated by this young couple that was so beautifully adorned and so reflective of the culture of Panama. I spent a wonderful hour enjoying the varied dances and watching the musicians perform the cheerful music. Could have stayed longer but alas, I had to board the ship and sail away. (As an aside, I loved noting that the young woman has braces on her teeth.)"