A stylized, grafitti-like, Yameen logo.
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Kuya - Photo Book

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Front cover

More Images

A two-page spread of a long line of people waiting for a jeepney.
A sunrise over the ocean as fishing boats prepare for their day between rising mountains.
A closeup of a motorcycle's rear wheel, as a tarp drapes the rest of the bike, concealing it mysteriously.
A view of the bottom-left corner on the back of the book, where the name 'Yameen' is displayed in a serif-style font.
A close-up of the book's spine, which features a decorative pattern reminiscent of those in tribal Filipino culture.
The front cover of the book is shown from a top-down view against a handsome, dark marbled background, with its red cover providing a bold contrast.
A photograph of three children running in a staggered formation, their speed conveyed by slight motion blur. In the foreground, a woman walks with her umbrella open, shielding herself from the blazing sun.
A photograph from the book shows men loading a truck with baskets of vegetables. One man in the foreground looks intently, as if sizing up the amount of work remaining to finish the task.
A photograph from the book shows fishing boats in what appears to be the middle of the day, with the sun high, their boat anchored between two mountains in the distance.

Product Description

Originally released on January 10, 2022. This edition is currently sold out.

San Francisco-based photographer Yameen shares an intimate visual journal captured entirely on film as he travels to the Philippines for the first time. Kuya, a term of respect in Tagalog that literally means "brother" but is used to address any older male relative or friend, spans five different cities photographed on color film in 35mm & 120 medium format.

Beginning in the dense metro of Baguio amongst family, Yameen's journey leads to an impromptu day trip north to the mountains of Buguias. From there, jaunts south to the sandy beaches of Bohol and west to the lagoons of Palawan, and finally back north to finish the trip once more among the company of family in Manila. A family Yameen has known for decades but never met until now. This book of their homeland and his family is a tribute to them.

About the book

  • Shot entirely on film with the Mamiya 7 & Fujifilm Klasse W
  • 80 pages
  • 41 color photographs
  • 9 inches (width) x 7 inches (height, spine)
  • Foil-stamped cover and back
  • Printed on 80lb. matte EuroArt Plus paper
  • Designed & edited by Jeff Masamori
  • Each copy of Kuya comes with a one-of-a-kind, limited edition 4x5 color print used during the production and design of the book.
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