DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY AS A WEAPON OF SOCIAL CHANGE
EVERYDAYPEOPLESTORIES FOUNDATION
Documentaries are very powerful means of conveying social messages to the world. Many people look up to television and theatres to give them a form of entertainment and therefore if information based on correct facts can be passed on to them which are at the same time entertaining, then this medium can effect great changes by creating awareness and educating the masses. They are also means by which young people can share and learn about cultural experiences with others. Watching documentaries about other cultures and nations can generate interest in various subjects like languages and culture of a nation
Documentary Photography as a weapon of SOCIAL CHANGE can also encourage critical thinking about the world, and seeing facts, can eliminate many myths and superstitions about issues. Watching documentaries about a certain country, region or organization in the world can educate those people who cannot afford travel. They can still learn and enjoy the many benefits of traveling, by watching documentaries
We are Kenyan Born South African and Belgium based Humanitarian, Social Documentary and Landscape photographers with a particular interest in NGO photography. Our passion is to assist organizations to tell their stories, to highlight the great work being done by the NGO sector in Africa, and to work with NGO's in conceptualizing and developing a beneficial image for their organization. With years of experience in the photographic field, we believe we have the necessary skills and experience to produce work of benefit to any NGO structure. We are very comfortable working within the often challenging environments in which a lot of NGO's operate. We are also very aware of the financial constraints of the NGO sector, and so offer a very flexible pricing structure, dependent on the needs of the organization.
We want to give our time to those who could benefit from our help. We are truly blessed to be given this amazing talent and a unique eye for detail but we lack the specified organization to make the trips happen, so we've decided to reach out. With the assistance of any organization, we will be able to work closely with any Non Profitable Organisation and the communities while teaching and enriching the lives of children, and by playing a vital role in the conservation of the Culture Heritage and splendour . We would love to work with your organization to help tell your story of growth as a none profitable organization and what impact they bring to the community at large.
Our Mission is to help create awareness through selling photography books, Social Media Campaigns , a Modern Web Online Presence by using creative simple, yet complex feel of images and short story videos that we acquire throughout the travel documentary . A visually recorded fact is evidence and therefore has a greater power to move minds more than the written or the spoken word. This is how awareness can be created of social stigmas like Rape, child labour, adult and children trafficking , poverty and forced prostitution. In the case of a documentary project in regards to refugees our Objectives would be • To support the refugees to settle into the new home environment • To build the confidence of new arrivals in using the little facilities available • To encourage empathy and understanding for the new arrivals amongst current inhibitors
Activities We could design a project where children use photography to create maps of the refugee camp as a ‘welcome booklet’ for the new arrivals . There could be a portraiture session where new arrivals and current children take portraits of each other. These photos could then be displayed on the walls of the camps with names underneath.
The above example involves identifying clear needs, and a corresponding set of objectives; and designing a methodology which will help meet your objectives.
Consult with the young people participating about the project purpose and design. They may identify priorities and issues which you haven’t considered. Their engagement in the project design can be central to ensuring the project meets their needs. However, young people may find it hard to articulate their needs or even to understand the concept of project consultation if it’s unfamiliar to them, especially at the beginning of a project. In this case, especially if the project is led by a non-refugee project leader, it’s essential that the aims and objectives are explained clearly, that the process remains sensitive to needs, and open to participant ideas and input during later stages.
At the outset, or as the project develops, it needs to be decided whether the images being produced by the young people will be viewed publicly. This might be friends and family, or a broader public audience. The great power of images lies in their ability to communicate and tell stories to an audience. Exhibitions, books or websites of images taken by young refugees can be used with great effect to raise public awareness and understanding about the experiences of refugees in this country.
Exhibition openings or image screenings can be a focal point in a project; when all involved can come together to celebrate what’s been achieved. It’s an opportunity for the young people to take great pride in their work, as they see other people take their work seriously and take note of what they have to say.
Young people will often have little idea of the impact of showing their work publicly. It’s essential that they’re appropriately prepared and supported, and are able to opt out at any point.
It’s very important that any photography project for young refugees is firmly located within the generalised provision of professional support. There may be many issues relating to a young person’s health, mental well-being, living situation, asylum case, protection etc that arise during the project that are beyond the scope and training of the project staff to deal with. Many photography projects involve some level of partnership, for example, between a host organisation such as a refugee community organisation or a school, and an arts organisation. You might want to draw up a simple agreement which identifies the roles and responsibilities of each party. This helps establish a system for referring issues which arise to the appropriate support organisation.
Working with staff such as youth workers or case-workers who already have a strong existing relationship with the participant can be an excellent way to support participants through a project. On the other hand, it can be liberating for participants to engage with a project as individuals, on their own terms. Either way, it’s important to work with and understand the wider support network of young refugees.
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