First Generation
An Ongoing Photographic Series by Iaritza Menjívar
First Generation is a long-term documentary series exploring the everyday lives of three generations of my immigrant family— my parents, who arrived in the United States from Guatemala and El Salvador, and the generations that followed, born here in the U.S.
As “First Gens,” we navigate a complex duality: the privileges of being born in the U.S., and the emotional and social weight of our families’ migration stories. We move through systems that often marginalize our loved ones— where names, immigration status, and skin color can determine access, opportunity, and belonging.
This work is rooted in gratitude. Each image is an offering to honor my family's labor and sacrifice— a visual reminder that their struggles and perseverance were not in vain.
Press, Features & Exhibitions:
The New York Times: Honoring a Debt to Immigrant Parents
NYT en Español: Una deuda pendiente con mis padres migrantes
Photoville: First Generation Exhibition
Newton Camera Club – Contemporary Women Photographers
What Will You Remember – Reconstructed at FPAC Gallery
Do you ever feel like each phase in your life is like moving on to the next chapter in a book? Each telling a story, some leaving you with questions, others so exciting that you stay up all night reading, and some making you feel like you just want to close that book and never open it again.
Felt like something was there... are photographs made from moments that hold deep and intense emotions. The sensations that accompany our experiences linger long after we have moved on from them. When we revisit a photograph, smell something familiar, or feel someone’s touch, these sensory cues can bring us back to the most personal memories and reactivate the emotions associated with those same moments. A photograph can become a portal, allowing us to encounter something from that chapter.
This is a personal story of how someone can feel abandoned and alone, while simultaneously being the person who supported many others, the roller coaster of being everyone’s savior except one’s own. Each chapter represents a part of that journey: the loneliness, the searching, the unraveling, and eventually the realization that I could choose what came next.
The disintegrating of those chapters does not need to mean forgetting completely. Memories remain with us; they become part of the story we carry. But with time, we can begin to see those chapters differently. We can close some books, return to others, and choose which stories we want to continue writing.
For me, that next chapter has been about finding peace in the love and presence of the people who stayed, those who chose to listen, love, and support me without conditions. My chosen family.
About This Project
This project received a 2022 grant from the Collective Futures Fund.
It was exhibited at the Leica Gallery in Boston, MA as part of the group exhibition “Seeing Across Generations” with Constatine Manos and Stella Johnson.
Read More About the Work:
Currently: Exhibiting at Tabor Academy
“What Will You Remember” Review by Elin Spring
“The Boston Globe” Review by Mark Feeney
Seeing Across Generations, a conversation moderated by Larry Volk.
Collection of portraits.
This portfolio features samples of my photography from events, concerts, and various assignments. I've had the pleasure of working with clients such as The Washington Post, Mass Humanities, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, various real state developers, the Massachusetts State House, Somerville Museum, The Somerville Community Land Trust, The Shirts & Shoes, Cambridge Health Alliance, the Somerville Museum, and more.
Please feel free to reach out with any photography inquiries. While I am based in the Greater Boston area, I am more than happy to travel for assignments.
If you're interested in wedding, engagement, or family photography, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I offer customizable packages to suit your unique needs and look forward to learning more about your special moments.
