When Chinese tourists come to Xinjiang the International Grand Bazaar of Xinjiang is the main attraction. It’s a large mall with decorative minarets. Uighurs are hired to dance, sell melons and trinkets to the tourists.

I'm a photojournalist in Cairo, Egypt, seeking out interesting stories and ideas. I studied photojournalism and philosophy in Kentucky and interned at a few newspapers, including the St. Pete Times, then returned to Egypt to freelance. Lately I've had work published in TIME Magazine, The Guardian's magazine, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. I don't fly around or parachute in and hire fixers. I try to be the local expert, cultivating long-term relationships, telling untold stories and giving novel analysis.