Entering the Maya World

The mythical Mayan World with its monumental sculpture, magnificent temples and metropolis, such as legendary Tikal, once extended throughout Guatemala up into the northern Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and as far south as El Salvador.

While traveling through this region, Michael (Michal in Czech) Veznik captured with his camera the beautiful yet perilous landscape surrounded by majestic volcanoes, picturesque crater lakes and primeval forest wilderness hiding the enigmatic Maya ruins. Michael also focused his attention to the native people, many of whom are direct descendants of the once mighty Mayan civilization and have retained their language culture and traditions despite the onslought from the outside modern world.  

Born in Brno, Czech Republic, Michael Veznik came to New York in 1993 to study photography. Since graduating from School of Visual Arts in 1997, he's been shooting portrait and glamour photography as well as editorial assignments for magazines such as Leaders, Instinkt, Woman Magazine, Xantypa, Harmonie, Lide a Zeme, and others.

Click on the images below to see the larger views.