Mariachi bands, leopards and Mexican rodeos come courtesy of Davis Gerber in this week’s Frames.

There’s a little part in all of us that loves an adventure. But while exploring faraway lands and foraging jungles might just seem like the dream of a wishful kid, it’s simply a way of life for 29 year-old photographer Davis Gerber. 

A Californian expat who now lives on the coast of Mexico, Davis has come a long way since his first-ever camera; the Olympus point and shoot. Such a long way, in fact, that his portfolio traces him everywhere from Jalisco horse rodeos to zebra-filled pastures. While the native fauna of his travels is undoubtedly a drawcard (one shot of a leopard seems ripped from a Planet Earth poster), Davis is most interested in the local townspeople.  

“My favourite type of photography is capturing culturally rich events, and documenting the people who are most passionate about those places,” Davis says. 

There’s certainly an excess of life on display. From sombreros to mariachis and violins, it’s the customs of Davis’ human subjects that inspire him the most.   

“I hope to be an honest and enthusiastic documentarian, capturing real people in their truest light. My constant hope is that my work inspires people to travel, and to dig deeper once they’ve arrived to find real connections,” Davis says. 

Some people get into photography to collect their memories or express themselves. For Davis, he’s thankful for his role as a staff photographer at properties in Cuixmala and Hacienda de San Antonio, and with this comes his simple philosophy.

“Photography provides me a means to not only observe but also to learn so much about the world around me.”

Catch Davis’ Frames below, and head here to follow him on Instagram.