A curandero is a faith healer or native shaman who treats any number of maladies, including mental and spiritual “illnesses” that are more commonly handled by a clergyperson or psychiatrist in the United States. Photographer and documentary filmmaker Scott Dalton, whose work we first saw on Beautiful Decay, has captured the life of the curandero during healing sessions and pilgrimages across Mexico and Latin America. While some faith healers rely on herbs and natural cures, others use Catholic elements, such as idols, paintings, and holy water. Dalton’s visually striking photos reveal a beauty and vulnerability shared between the curandero and the people seeking healing and guidance.
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton
Photo credit: Scott Dalton