JANINE MAPURUNGA, a native of Brazil, moved to California in 1997, where she studied Cultural Anthropology at UC Davis. To her, photography was a way to both understand her new surroundings and speak a familiar language. She then studied under renowned photojournalist Andy DeLucia, from whom she learned to skillfully document people in their environment. She has a specialization in Visual Culture and a MFA on Artistic Production and Research from the University of Barcelona. As her cross-disciplinary training suggests, she is concerned with the origin, nature and destiny of her subjects. Janine’s work is distinguished by technical precision combined with warmth and humanity. She finds moments rather than creating them. Her versatility and intimate documentary form allow her access to what might otherwise be the unseen image. Besides her commercial work, she teaches and develops socially-focused projects. She divides her time between Northern California and her native Brazil.