TUPAY

Tupay means reunion in Quechua. After not having a relationship with my dad for almost all my life, I was going to spend 4 days with him in Cusco, Peru where he currently lives. These are some photos of our time together.

Like many people, I didn't know what it was like to have a dad growing up. My dad was not present, not even to call on my birthday. This caused a lot of resentment towards him that I held on to for many years. I started healing this abandonment wound a few years back from afar, he was not aware but he probably felt it when I called to ask him to spend some time with him. With this visit, my intention was to get to know him and to my surprise, I really liked him.

© Celia D. Luna - Image from the TUPAY photography project
i

El poderoso (the powerful one) is how he named his van. An old but mighty VW van that served as transportation for our adventures together.

© Celia D. Luna - Image from the TUPAY photography project
i

Kaypi Kani translates to "I am here" that's the mantra I kept repeating to myself to stay in the present moment and not think of the past.

© Celia D. Luna - The first time I dared to touch his hand in front of the Maras Salt Mines.
i

The first time I dared to touch his hand in front of the Maras Salt Mines.

© Celia D. Luna - Whenever I see a dragonfly, I feel I'm in the right path. I saw one in Saqsaywaman with my dad.
i

Whenever I see a dragonfly, I feel I'm in the right path. I saw one in Saqsaywaman with my dad.

© Celia D. Luna - Image from the TUPAY photography project
i

As I got closer to my dad, I also got closer to the little girl inside of me that desperately wanted to experience a moment like this one.

© Celia D. Luna - Image from the TUPAY photography project
i

I captured this photo right before I left his house. This image came to me during a meditation and I just had to recreate it.

Latest Projects

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Stay in the loop


We will send you weekly news on contemporary photography. You can change your mind at any time. We will treat your data with respect. For more information please visit our privacy policy. By ticking here, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with them. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.