I am honored to have had two of my photos (included here) featured in the July 2008 issue of Vanity Fair Magazine. What makes the whole experience even more rewarding and affirming is that they are reflections on my travels to the wonderful island of Cuba.

In my five visits over the last three years to the controversial island, I have developed a deep love and respect for all things Cuban: the people, the easy way of life, the music, the colors, the textures, the cigars, the socialist aspect of governing (where everyone is truly equal) and of course, the mojito’s. But baseball, oddly enough, is at the center of that love. Baseball is Cuba’s national pastime, and although the game has lost some of its luster stateside, it is by far my personal national pastime.

Throughout its history in America, baseball, in a very strange way has always reflected our society. Whether you’re a fan of the game or not, subconsciously your life has been impacted by the game of baseball. Point in fact: after the vicious 9-11 attacks on our country, we were all paralyzed as to what to do next. But if you remember back, it was baseball that got our country rolling again. After taking a week or two off, the Commissioner of baseball, Bud Selig, insisted that it was time to “Play Ball” and so the games resumed, as did our lives.

In Cuba, baseball is a way of life. Now, not everyone follows the game religiously, but all Cubans are quite aware of its impact upon its society and have a profound appreciation for what the game means to the island. My Vanity Fair photos are a reflection of that love.

To read the article posted in the July issue of VF, click here.

–Byron Motley