‘Flowers and Photos’ ensures child care workers are seen, heard and given their roses
All photography by Maritza Aragon and Sayra Vasquez / Girls on Film
Earlier this year, a group of child care providers got together at a roundtable event with state Assemblymember Chris Ward.
The advocates shared familiar stories about how child care providers are underpaid, underresourced and how difficult it is for families to find quality, affordable care in San Diego. Then they shared another stat that caught the attention of my team member, Megan Moore, who works with the Children First Collective to advance child care priorities in San Diego.
According to the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at the University of California, Berkeley, only 53% of large family child care providers feel respected for their work.
So the question for Megan became: what does it look like to give our providers their flowers?
"I've seen the workers, the passion for what they do and the care that they take with one of the most valuable things in our lives, our children," Megan said. "For them to feel like society doesn't see them as professionals — they should feel like it's a slap in the face."
Knowing that women comprise 96% of the entire child care and early education sector, Megan decided to uplift a group of child care workers on International Women's Day. She partnered with photographers Maritza Aragon and Sayra Vasquez of Girls on Film, an all-female collective of photographers, to bring that lived understanding into every frame, shaped by their own experiences of care and responsibility.
The photographers know, intimately, the quiet labor and deep presence this work requires. Through their lens, caregiving is not just documented — it is honored.
"I feel like people value care, but they don't value the people behind the care," she said. "To bring Maritza and Sayra out there and let the caregivers be the highlight of the day and to share their stories gives everyone an opportunity to see their true value, to see the people behind the care, and to elevate them to a place they deserve to be every day."
Just like raising a child, it took a village. Safelight Labs provided the backdrops and film development. Paul Mitchell The School San Diego provided the hair and makeup. The event was hosted in March at the San Diego Made Factory.
Film doesn't allow for endless retakes or edits. It asks for intention, presence and care in every frame.
In many ways, that mirrors the work of child care. Their days are built on moments that can't be rushed or repeated — helping to shape a child's sense of safety, belonging and growth.
Everything I use
to teach the children, that comes
out of my pocket.
Sandra
Cumplido
We have lost
a lot of children
that moved up to preschool.
Mary Ann
Canales
More and more,
we are running
out of work
Ángeles
Herrera
I felt like
they don't respect me
or my job
Eva
De la Cruz
Through portraits, Flowers & Photos became an opportunity to document not just what these providers do — but who they are. To create something lasting. Something that says: you matter, and your story deserves to be remembered.
Child care providers are essential to our society, our economy and our community. They give so much every day, and they deserve greater support, visibility and recognition in return.
It may have been International Women's Day, but the recognition cannot be limited to a single moment — it has to shape how we value this work every day.
