This photo series documents the wild tap-taps of Port-au-Prince, Haiti — vividly decorated buses and pickups that are a vital part of daily life. Each tap-tap is hand-painted by local artists who transform them into moving works of art. Designs are detailed and imaginative, often combining portraits of family members, religious imagery and pop culture references with bold colors and geometric patterns.

Tap-tap owners invest heavily in decorations, sometimes spending more than a year’s income to have their vehicles painted. The artwork isn’t just a tradition — it directly impacts business. Passengers are more likely to choose a well-decorated tap-tap, associating its care with the driver’s reliability and the vehicle’s safety. In a crowded market, a striking design makes a difference.

Tap-taps naturally take longer to get from place to place than by motobike, but riding one is its own experience. Passengers squeeze into the back, holding onto rails or standing when seats are full. Haitian compas music often blasts from the open vehicle as it drives by merchants and children on their way to school. The journey offers a unique view of Haitian street life and I hope I’ll be able to see them celebrated in the streets again soon.