Motivation for the Long Road

Greetings and saludos from Cusco!

Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco was known as the navel of the world, which is the meaning of its Quechua name, Qosqo. Today it remains the cultural capital of Peru and the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America.

The past few weeks have been very big for the project. On a long-term project like this, many weeks go by where it feels like there is little to show for it. It is all self-propelling, with no one and nothing pushing me forward but my own commitment to the work. There is plenty of rejection, and even more common, and worse, is no response at all. Then a stretch like this happens, and it refuels me to push on. I had to come to terms early on that this is a marathon, not a sprint. What I first estimated would take one to two years is now approaching four, and moments like these remind me why it has been worth every step.

The Condor & The Bull has been named a Critical Mass 2026 Top 50.

For those unfamiliar, Critical Mass is an annual program run by Photolucida in Portland, Oregon, that connects photographers from around the world with the people shaping the field. Portfolios are submitted, 200 finalists are selected, and then up to 200 photography professionals (museum curators, gallerists, publishers, editors and educators) review the work and vote. Being among the Top 50 is a real honour, and knowing the photographs from the Andes resonated with so many people whose eyes I respect means a great deal to me.

Being in the Top 50 opens a lot of doors for the project. The work will be part of the Top 50 exhibition at the Los Angeles Center of Photography next summer (June 3 – July 17, 2027), and it is now being considered for additional awards, solo exhibitions, and publication features through the program. Beyond the formal opportunities, it puts the project in front of curators and editors who are actively looking for new work, which is exactly where a project like this needs to be as it moves toward becoming a book.

Featured in ZEKE Magazine

The project is also featured in the Fall 2026 issue of ZEKE, the Social Documentary Network’s print magazine dedicated to global documentary photography. This came about because I received the Reviewer’s Choice Award from the Social Documentary Network a few months ago. The issue explores migration and the evolving meaning of borders, and The Condor & The Bull appears as one of five featured photography portfolios. It’s a real privilege to see the work in print alongside such strong company. You can view the digital edition by clicking on the link in the photos above.

I’m also thrilled to share that I have officially confirmed my collaboration with Caleb Cain Marcus of Luminosity Lab, who will design the book. Caleb recently led the design of Claire Rosen’s Birds of a Feather, which was named Book of the Year and won first place in the Monograph category at the 2026 International Photography Awards, along with multiple other awards. It is a beautiful book, and congratulations to both Caleb and Claire on creating something so special. Caleb’s book designs have been winning awards over the past few years, and it is an honour that he wanted to collaborate with me to create something special for The Condor & The Bull. You can see more of Birds of a Feather and Caleb’s design work by clicking the photo below.

Book design has commenced with Caleb Cain Marcus.

We have officially begun the design of the book. After years of photographing in the communities, on the pilgrimages and at the festivals of the Andes, it is a strange and wonderful feeling to start seeing the work take shape as an object: the pacing, the sequencing, how one image speaks to the next. More on that process as it unfolds.

Exposure Portfolio Reviews

I also took part in the Los Angeles Center of Photography’s Exposure Portfolio Reviews, three days of one-on-one meetings with curators, gallery directors, editors and publishers from around the world. In fact, I learned about the Critical Mass news right in the middle of these reviews. Sitting down with that many people in a short span is intense, but the project was very well received, and the meetings resulted in solid interest and firm leads for:

* International exhibitions of the project

* Editorial coverage through prominent international newspapers and magazines

* Feature pieces on the project, and on me, through influential photo industry sites and newsletters.

These are being planned to coincide with the book publication. I’ll share more on each of these as they come together.

The Condor & The Bull: the portfolio I shared with reviewers at Los Angeles Center of Photography Exposure 2026

None of this happens alone. I’m deeply grateful to the families and communities who have welcomed me into their lives and ceremonies over these years, to everyone who has helped make the fieldwork possible, and to all of you who have followed along and supported the project. This project could never have gotten this far without so many people supporting it along the way.

Now, if I could find a way to turn all this positive attention into funding to publish the book, that’s what is needed most right now. Everything else is in place, and the pieces are ready to come together. I’m working on it.

A quick reminder: my 2027 Canadian nature and wildlife calendar is available for pre-order until October 28, with shipping in November. Every calendar sold goes directly toward completing The Condor & The Bull. You can order yours on my website by clicking on the link in the photo below.

Order your 2027 calendar by following the link in this photo!

More to come, stay tuned!

With gratitude,


MB