Diana Cervantes
Diana Cervantes is an Independent Visual Journalist based in New York City and her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cervantes focuses on long-form visual narratives in conservation efforts, the environment, unique intimate bonds between humans and animals and human ties to the land. Her passion for animals and the environment drives her work from an intimate perspective often forming lasting bonds and working connections with the individuals who welcome her into their lives and work.Cervantes work has captured the plight of the wild horses in the small town of Placitas, New Mexico and most recently two long form bodies of work. A focus on urban oyster restoration in the New York Harbor by Billion Oyster Project, and the self-named Mother Pigeon who shares her bond with the pigeons in NYC. Additionally in 2020 Cervantes was selected as one of the International Women’s Media Foundation Gwen Ifill Mentorship Fellows. She was mentored by Photojournalist and Nikon Ambassador Ami Vitale. In 2022 she was selected to attend the Eddie Adams Workshop. She is also a member of: Argo Collective, The Authority Collective, Diversify Photo and Society of Environmental Journalists.
| FEATURED STORIES |
The Lady of the Pigeons
This project focuses on capturing the special bond Tina Piña Trachtenburg – self named Mother Pigeon – shares with the many pigeons of New York City. Since the 1980's Mother Pigeon has dedicated her life to caring and advocating for these birds who are seen as vermin. From the way she dresses, to her artwork it is all driven by her passion for pigeons, whom she views as equals.She cares for a flock of nearly 200 on the rooftop of her apartment in Brooklyn feeding them and tending to their needs. Which is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the believed one million pigeons that call NYC home.
This documentary project's importance lies in creating an understanding of human to animal relationships and the need to understand how to coexist together. Whether it is in a sprawling urban area like NYC or in the suburbs, if we do not begin to foster an understanding of symbiosis, we may not change the course of our planet.
I believe that it is in sharing unique tangible stories that will help us foster hope, sympathy, conversation, and action.
See Full Image Gallery
Crisis on the Rio Grande
From the headwaters to the lost reaches, the Upper Rio Grande is under threat, and so are the people and ecosystems that rely on it. Climate change has already shrunk the snowpacks, dried soils and increased evaporation.Human decision-making, resource management and policy continue to radically shift thetrajectory of this lifeline in the high desert. This aridification has made precious water scarce for more people, exacerbating pressingissues in agriculture, tribal sovereignty and conservation.Reporter Danielle Prokop and Photojournalist Diana Cervantes traveled 700 miles along theriver, documenting people adapting to a changed climate from Colorado through New Mexicoand into Texas. From the headwaters to the lost reaches, the Upper Rio Grande is under threat, and so are the people and ecosystems that rely on it.“The Rio Grande is magic. It was uplifting to see individuals on the frontlines protecting andloving this river,” Cervantes said. “It’s a river that connects so many of us, and we look forward to sharing the special stories and images found along and within its banks.”
Source New Mexico is rolling out the series in 14 parts, starting Monday, Jan. 30, at theheadwaters in Colorado. All of this content, including the photos, is free to republish with creditto the journalists and Source NM under a Creative Commons license — as is all of the workSource New Mexico produces.
“At this crucial time, the river deserves to be seen as vital to survival, not just numbers on apage,” Prokop said.We hope this project can serve not only to document a living history along the river, but alsolook towards its future.
This project was edited by Marisa Demarco, Words by Danielle Prokop and Photos by Diana Cervantes. The project was funded by a grant from the Water Desk and by States Newsroom, a network of nonprofit news organizations and home to Source NM.
Full image gallery here
Original Reportage here on Source NM