In photography, the main objective is to exhibit visually what is and once was. The imagery through one’s camera lens can conjure emotions and memories like no other medium.

Photojournalism allows photographers to tell stories in a metaphoric sense. Seasoned photographers are driven by imagery and the context that is communicated via their images.

When photojournalists materialize creative ideas into photographs, they know that it is one of the most powerful tools available in social media. Some are able to use their photographic skills to raise awareness and to educate the world. This is how they illustrate the realities of many countries and cultures. 

Much of Mayra Martell’s work is like this. Martell is a native of Ciudad Juarez. Raised by a single mother, she quickly recognized the violence that occurred in her hometown. Juarez, one of the fastest growing cities in the world, is also known as one of the world’s most violent. This prominent violence would lead Martell to choose photojournalism later in life. Yet she began her photojournalism career after studying photography at school in Mexico City. 

Many of Martell’s photographs document the cultural aspects of Latin America and Juarez’s evolution, especially its rise in violence. One of her most notable works has brought awareness to missing young women in Juarez. Many are kidnapped for sex trafficking purposes, only to be murdered when they no longer serve that purpose.

When Martell was 24, she became aware of the increasing number of missing women in Juarez. One missing person flyer, in particular, sparked her interest. The woman’s name was Yesenia. Martell felt compelled to call the number on the flyer. She was able to reach Yesenia’s mother. Martell wanted to learn more about Yesenia’s life to give her an identity, in a sense. What followed was her five-year photojournalism project, called “Ensayo de la Identidad,” or “Test of Identity.” 

Martell was on a mission to bring light and awareness to the stories of these young women. The challenge was how to photograph someone who is missing. Martell met with the families of the missing women and photographed their bedrooms and their possessions. Her images are of toys, shoes and bedrooms, which remain as they were from before their inhabitants went missing. Every single image is a memory of a missing loved one. The photographs are raw and real. Their atmosphere brings the missing person to life, and perhaps one can feel some of the pain that the families feel. 

Martell left Ciudad Juarez in 2009, soon after she had been kidnapped and released hours later. Two days after her initial kidnapping, assailants again attempted to kidnap her. Before she left Juarez, however, she documented and photographed the homes of missing women for “Ensayo de la Identidad.” 

Martell then turned her attention to other parts of Latin America and to Africa, focusing on similar themes. Other projects include “Falsos Propósitos” and “Cerro de Petare.” Martell has since received many awards. She is currently editing her latest project, which concluded last year, “Sexy Mafia from Sinaloa.”