Sanlé Sory's portraits reflect a society in transition.
According to The Guardian, Sanlé Sory is one of West Africa's most prominent photographers. Born in 1943 in Burkina Faso, he opened the Volta Photo studio in Bobo-Dioulasso in 1960, at the age of 17. From there, he began documenting community life through portraits of families, couples, friends, small business owners, and local people.
These portraits capture the clothing styles, poses, and personal touches of the people of Burkina Faso in their daily lives.
In the studio, clients actively choose their outfits, hairstyles, props, and poses. Therefore, the photos not only capture their individual appearance but also reflect their lifestyle, tastes, and how they want to express themselves.