How we photographed the woman whom Border Patrol shot five times

This week’s top photo comes from visual journalist Candace Dane Chambers.

What makes this photo important?

Marimar Martinez was shot five times by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during an incident in Brighton Park in October. On Sunday, she sat down with Sun-Times and WBEZ reporters to recount the events of that day, her recovery and her advocacy. In the wake of the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, there's been increased scrutiny of federal agents' use of force, and Martinez's first-hand account is more relevant than ever.

How did you get the photo?

Martinez sat for a two-hour interview with reporters Jon Seidel and Adriana Cardona-Maguigad. I was tasked with making still images as Zubaer Khan filmed video. The wide-ranging conversation covered sensitive topics including the shooting itself, the government labeling Martinez as a "domestic terrorist" and the impact on her family. There were a few moments when Martinez became visibly emotional. I was concerned that she would be too drained by the end of the interview to sit for additional portraits, but she obliged. I had to quickly rearrange the room for photos.

I tried a few frames in the dark recording studio, relying on the overhead lighting Khan used to shoot video. I even tried to incorporate the blue strip lighting that ran along the walls to add some visual interest with color. Cardona-Maguigad was watching nearby and gently asked how the lighting was in the space. I was grateful for the question because it allowed me to acknowledge that the environment was challenging and gave me an opportunity to ask Martinez for just a little more of her time in order to try a new set up. I took her to the lobby area filled with bright light and positioned her next to the window. Half of her face was illuminated and the other fell in shadow, which felt tonally appropriate for the story — she's experienced a dark, traumatic event, but now stands as a beacon of defiance against injustice.

Technical details:

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