Nicolas Enriquez

Nicolas Enriquez was born in the city of Cali, Colombia in 1993. At the age of 19, Nicolas decided to travel to New York to study Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at The International center of Photography where he graduated in 2014.

He has developed an interest in documenting urban conflict, and political and human rights issues. He currently works as a freelance photographer for the New York Daily News and his work has been published in media outlets such as The New York Times, American Photography, Getty images,The Atlantic, Daily Mail UK, Quartz, PDN, and Corriere della sera.

“living in the hood is like living in prison”

Karen, mother of Kirell and aunt of Smokey looks at her phone wile watching TV inside her apartment in Brooklyn.

Karen, mother of Kyrell and aunt of Smokey.

“Looney”,active member of the Nation yells “amor de rey” king love at his group while they're looking for “Trinitarios” members from an enemy gang in a subways station. Brooklyn/NYC

“Looney”, active member of the Nation yells “amor de rey” king love at his group while they’re looking for members from an enemy gang in a subway station

The Bloodline is a chapter designated by the gang of the Latin Kings to the State of New York. The Latin Kings is one of the largest and most organized gangs in America with more than 35,000 active members.

This Photo Essay focuses on documenting not only the extreme life conditions for the majority of gang members but also the relation between gang members and society. It explores the intimacy and naivety of teenagers who have been pushed by their economic status,
racial, and social issues to survive in a hostile environment in one of the most developed cities in the world. It also draws attention to the happiness, unity and respect they show each other and the importance of the family and religion in their lives.

“From here I can shoot the J train” is what “B-Rad” said to his brother in law “Smokey”.

Smokey lights up a marijuana cigarette while seating in his room at the Bushwick housing projects, Smokey is the leader of the South-Side tribe of the Latin Kings gangs in Brooklyn and he tries to keep his people from smoking anything else that is not marijuana because he wants them to be able to protect the hood at any time.

Smokey, leader of the South-Side tribe of the Latin Kings lights up a marijuana cigarette while seating in his room at the Bushwick housing projects.

“Flash” after smoking marijuana

Blask got his hand cut with a broken bottle during a fight with members from an enemy gang called the Trinitarios,

As a Colombian, I am aware of the political and social situations of my country, and am familiar with the culture and their way of life. I am drawn to people who have to live in extreme conditions, and the risks they take to be capable of maintaining their economic status. The
stressors behind why they create or get involved in gangs and what their purpose is. In my work I endeavor to show my point of view of social and cultural issues, often referencing South and Latin American urban conflicts such as drug dealing, narco-traffic, gangs and corruption.

I feel inspired by the efforts of these teenagers seeking for a community that understands them and supports them, and how they find the answer to this questions in Gangs, a community that forces them to juggle between being a teenager and surviving in the concrete
jungle.

(from left to right) King Looney, King Chucho, King Smokey and King Buckets rest in their apartments after a long day at a meeting with other gang members, smoking some marijuana and drinking beer.