Cuba's quinceanera boomlet

A rather surprising and sweet benefit of Cuba's economic reforms

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Qunceanera celebrations in Cuba are all about the photographs.
(Image credit: The Associated Press)
Daniela Santo Torres left Cuba when she was 3 years old. Returning for her quinceanera photos and party meant she could include family and friends she wouldn't otherwise see at home in Arizona.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)The quinceanera is an Hispanic tradition honoring a young girl's coming of age. The 15th birthday celebrations vary across Latin American countries, from the strictly)

Camila Lopez Rivas left Cuba for Miami when she was just a baby. She doesn’t remember the island, but wanted to return to take photographs and videos.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Daniela Santo Torres puts on makeup.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

A girl poses during her quinceanera photo session near the Catedral in Havana.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Daniela Santos Torres chooses a dress at the company her family hired to take her portraits and organize her birthday party.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Gladys Barroso Quintana, 15, who lives in Cuba, poses for photographers outside the Russian Orthodox Church in Havana.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Girls watch Amanda Teresa Betancourt, who lives in Cuba, during her quinceanera photo shoot with EstudiosMayer in Havana.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Camila Lopez Rivas poses for quinceanera portraits with a member of a Cuban band.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Gladys Barroso Quintana changes behind her parents' car from a traditional quinceanera dress to a more modern one.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Estefania Hernandez Perera, 14, who lives in Cuba, is photographed by FotoEcos, a studio that specializes in quinceaneras.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Amanda Teresa Betancourt practices her opening dance with her boyfriend before her party.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa))

Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.