“From here I can shoot the J train” is what “B-Rad” said to his brother in law “Smokey”.B-Rad is not a Latin King, he is a member of the “Ysquad” Gang that rules a small neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Nicolas Enriquez

The Bloodline

[ FUJIFILM/YOUNG TALENT AWARD 2015 RUNNER UP ]

The Bloodline is a chapter designated by the gang of the Latin Kings to the State of New York. The Latin Kings is one of the largest and most organized gangs in America with more than 35,000 active members.

This Photo Essay focuses on documenting not only the extreme life conditions for the majority of gang members but also the relation between gang members and society. It explores the intimacy and naivety of teenagers who have been pushed by their economic status, racial or social issues to survive in a hostile environment in one of the most developed cities in the world. It also draws attention to the happiness, unity and respect they show each other and the importance of the family and religion in their lives.

As a Colombian, I am aware of the political and social situations of my country, and am familiar with the culture and their way of life. I am drawn to people who have to live in extreme conditions, and the risks they take to be capable of maintaining their economic status. The stressors behind why they create or get involved in gangs and what their purpose is. In my work I endeavor to show my point of view of social and cultural issues, often referencing South and Latin American urban conflicts such as drug dealing, narco-traffic, gangs and corruption.

I feel inspired by the efforts of these teenagers seeking for a community that understands them and supports them, and how they find the answer to this questions in Gangs, a community that forces them to juggle between being a teenager and surviving in the concrete jungle.

“living in the hood is like living in prison” quote of

“Looney”,active member of the Nation yells “amor de rey” king love at his group while they’re looking for “Trinitarios” members from an enemy gang in a subways station. Brooklyn/NYC

“Flash” after smoking marijuana, one of the things that Latin Kings do the most is hang out and smoke.

8) Murder hold a gun that he bought for 250$ in the street, he bought it after guys from another gang stabbed one of his friends in the neck.

Bio

Nicolas Enriquez was born in the city of Cali, Colombia in 1993, he graduated from the Photojournalism and Documentary Photography program at The International center of Photography in 2014.
His most influential work The Bloodline documenting the Latin Kings gang has helped him to develop an interest in Urban conflict, political and human rights issues.
He currently works as a freelance photographer for the New York Daily News and his work has been published in different media outlets such as The New York Times, American Photography, Getty images, PROOF, NY Daily News.

Related links

Nicolas Enriquez

FujiFilm/EPF Young Talent Award is an additional grant for photographers under 25. Using David Alan Harvey’s words “A heart felt thank you also to FujiFilm for making it possible for the EPF to keep focus on the future generations, the young ones, the ones with a vision already making a mark now… and just might make another jump soon…”