Toreros

Two bull fighters look on as another confronts a bull in the ring. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

A bull charges toward the outstretched muleta, the red cape bull fighters use to control the animal. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

Two senior bull fighters help to prepare a young man who is just beginning his career.

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

Two horses stand together at the back of the stadium, partially prepared for making an entrance at the beginning of a bull fight.  

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí, about a 45 minute drive from Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

One of three banderilleros to take their turn weakening the bull by planting two sticks in the shoulders of the bull.

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

Two young bull fighters pass each other in the ring during practice. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

Clothes hang to dry in a bull fighter's home. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

Two picadores and their horses wait behind the ring for the fight to start.  They participate in one of the first stages of the fight. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

Two picadores practice handling their lances while a bull fighter take a moment to prepare for the fight. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

The young bull fighters help each other try on their professional clothes in preparation for a fight later in the week.

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

Sweat and blood glistens off the face of a bull fighter who has just exited the ring. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

An experienced bull fighter meets the bull on his knees, a very risky move. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future. 

A picador waits for the gate to open in an evening fight. 

In this series I photographed several young men who were training to become bull fighters in a small town called Choachí on the outskirts of Bogota, Colombia. They were committed to pursing this tradition, something they see as an art form, despite enduring an increasing amount of scrutiny from animal rights activists and an uncertain future.