Vanessa Winship talks about one of her favorite photographs.

“These two girls touched me, and I can’t say why. The image was made last spring in a school playground in Kars, near the Armenian border in eastern Turkey. I had been based in Istanbul for five years, so knew the country quite well, but I began this piece when I decided to come home. It represents a turning point for me as a photographer.

Because I was using a very formal camera, everyone was very still when I came to take the image; the moments before and after were pandemonium. Boys were leaping around, wondering why they weren’t involved. These girls are not from wealthy backgrounds; traditionally, girls in rural Turkey don’t go to school. What I wanted was to give them time to have a moment of importance.  

I had arranged to visit a number of different rural schools. This was the first. I had requested girls between seven and 11, and asked if they would come with either their friends or sisters. They were incredibly keen and excited, asking me questions about who I was and saying basic things like, “I like the way you look” or “I like your hair” - things one might talk about with a group of young girls.  We shared a very short moment. Maybe they touched me because they are very raw. There is no posturing at all - and that is rare. For me, they are the embodiment of innocence.” - (via the guardian)