Cuba is famous for it's cigars, and in Havana they are everywhere. People smoking them, or posing for photographs with them, or trying to sell you them. Cuban cigars are rolled from tobacco leaves found throughout the country of Cuba and are said to be among the best in the world. Despite American trade sanctions against Cuban products, cigars remain one of the country's biggest exports. In 2016 Cuba exported $445 million worth of cigars worldwide. Here are some portraits I took in La Habana, the Capital of Cuba of Cubans with cigars, click through the slide show below:

A beautiful elderly Cuban woman poses with a Cuban Cigar.

A man dressed as Cuban hero Che Guevara smokes a local cigar on the streets of Havana.

A large Latina women smokes a cigar on the streets of La Habana, Cuba.

A friendly cuban in a bright red hat poses with a Cuban cigar.

All of the above photos were taken with a Canon 5D IV using natural light. The lenses used were the Canon 50mm 1.4 prime lens and the Sigma Art lens at 135mm. Some of the people I captured in Havana were there for the tourism and received money in exchange for photos, but a couple were strangers in the street whom I asked if I could photograph. I like the additional prop of the cigar in these head shot portraits, it adds a particular Cuban feel to the images.

More of my travel photography from Cuba can be found on my website, my Facebook and my Flickr account. If you are interested in purchasing any prints, using an image online or would like further information please send me an email at: geraintrowlandphotography@gmail.com.