The Yadev family of India, their worldly possessions carefully organized upon the dirt in their front yard: a simple bed, pictures of deities, bags of food. The image is part of Material World: A Global Family Portrait, a project started in the 90′s by esteemed photojournalist Peter Menzel.

In each of 30 countries, Menzel used data from the World Bank and United Nations to find statistically average families: average in size, location, background, and occupation. He then coordinated with 16 leading photographers to create images that give us a social and geographical snapshot of peoples lives and the objects that fill them. Beautiful. [Read more...]