Cuba has long been one of my favourite places to visit and photograph. Over the course of several trips to the island, I have developed a deep admiration for the energy of Cuban people.

When techlife magazine presented the opportunity to return in September, 2010 to photograph CNCI – a trade certification school established through a partnership between NAIT, CIDA and the Cuban government – I was thrilled. As a staff photographer, I considered it a great chance to show a unique side of NAIT’s work abroad to a broader audience.

Cuban people are a joy to photograph. They are, from my experience, short on ego and big on community and contribution. I am thankful for the lessons in generosity and joie de vivre that I received everyday during my visit. These photographs are a deeper, more intimate look at some of the faces and places of CNCI and the nearby city of Cienfuegos.

Jason Ness
Photographic Technology ’00