Photographer Steven Laxton tailed several gypsy circus families in El Salvador, documenting their colorful nomadic lives in his project, ‘Circo El Salvador’.
Laxton’s photos featured the performers on and off the stage. Interestingly, plenty of photos showed the performers clad in normal clothes with their stage make-up and hair in place as they rested in their caravans during their down time.
Despite the vibrant colors of the photographs, the performers featured in Laxton’s work often appear pensive—a stark contrast from their bright and cheerful face paint and costumes.
Perhaps, they were just taking a quick, quiet break from the high octane performances that are expected of them every day.
Take a look at the faces behind El Salvador’s traveling circuses in the photos below.
[via Feature Shoot, images by Steven Laxton]