Photography with Love and Dignity
Posted by lauracookphotography on May 27, 2014 in Humanitarian photography, Technique and Tools, Visual Storytelling | 134 Comments
What the poor need most is not pity but love. They need to feel respect for their human dignity, which is neither less nor different from the dignity of any other human being.
(Mother Teresa)

Khadisara (age 13 in this image) is NOT just a girl living in poverty. She is a helpful girl who cares deeply for her mother and does all she can to support her younger sisters. She is a girl that did not want to pose with a cheesy smile. It wasn’t ‘her’. She is a girl that wanted to share her story. (Taken in 2012 for All We Can in Nepal)
I do not photograph ‘the poor’. I photograph people. Some of these people happen to live in poverty, some sadly live in extreme poverty. I agree with Mother Teresa, ‘the poor’ do not need pity, they need love. We all do don’t we? We all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, I would argue that the vulnerable in society even more so.
A conversation on LinkedIn has prompted me to write on my blog today and to use words that others may find fluffy and off-putting, words like love.
I believe that in my work as a visual storyteller love has to be an inherent part of what I do. I should treat all people with love. Love should mean that when I am working for an NGO* and taking photos for them I will always make sure my subjects (often vulnerable) understand how these images are going to be used. Where possible love means these human beings, key to the story I am creating, also participate actively in helping me create my images. Love means I will respect their wishes either way. Love means I will make efforts to make sure they get to see their photographs. Love means I will not create images that strip them of their dignity or show them as a faceless victim of famine/poor sanitation/crop failure/abuse. Love means I will make every effort to show the work of the NGO well but I will also work with the people they serve and work alongside them in a gentle way. Love means I will show the struggle but that I will also show the humanity within that struggle. The joy, tears, pain, laughter and relationships that are what make us human. The camera will only ever capture moments in time but love means that I want those moments to be an honest reflection of the story, of the struggle and of the people. Am I perfect at capturing these moments and stories yet? No, but I want to be. Not only will it make me a better photographer but hopefully a better human being too.
I work both as a photographer and as a participatory photography facilitator**. I love to do both as I get such joy seeing people enabled to tell their own stories. I still remember a woman in Malawi’s joyful exclamation “For the first time people see us. We have a voice.” as she saw her photographs on display. I saw fantastic reactions from the UK public viewing the work too as for many of them this was the first time they had seen photographs taken by the people they donated money to and supported. One woman said “I would never have guessed someone takes more pride in their garden than me”. The humanity was easy to encapsulate in these galleries as no longer were the images of victims taken by an outsider, they were images taken by survivors and photographers.
Of course I believe there is a place for professionals working as photographers for NGOs (I am one!) but I think as charities become better advocates for those living in poverty they should also become more aware of how the images they produce impact on the way the donating public in countries like England perceive those they give money to support. Some charities are getting this really right but an awful lot are still getting it wrong.
As someone who has worked for a number of international development NGOs (and continues to do so) I know that the majority of charities want to show the value of the people they work with. Unfortunately though images produced by some charities are missing the dignity and the love. They settle for stereotypical images of the ‘archetypal poor child staring up at the camera with tears in their eyes’. Some of them also put words in that child’s mouth, I have seen at least two campaigns in the last year that use posters telling us what the child would say if they were old enough to talk. People have labelled this kind of imagery Poverty Porn. Photographs and words designed to appeal to the donor wanting to give money.
In this interesting article Weh Yeoh looks at the role the NGO plays in deciding their marketing strategy (this of course includes not only images but also words). He says that “effective marketing brings attention and donations. Good development work should improve the lives of poor people” and does not believe that NGOs can do both. He looks at the power balance between the donor (the market) and the NGO beneficiary and notes that an effective marketing campaign will always favour the donor. He says that “unless we change the way we consume communications as human beings, overly simplistic marketing tactics will always butt heads with good development work”. I agree but want to focus on the hope in the first part of his conclusion. I think as an image consumer and an image maker it is up to us to change the trend and bring back the love and dignity.
I belong to the International Guild of Visual Peacemakers and encourage you to have a look at their site whether you are a photographer or a consumer of images. This group subscribes to a set of ethics encouraging image makers to engage with their subjects in a meaningful and honest way. They believe that the way in which visual content is created directly impacts both subjects and the outcome of the work itself. Visual peacemakers must be mindful of the person and the picture. They also have a Charter for Visual Peace which is an excellent set of statements all visual consumers can sign up to (that is most of us!). I want to include one of those statements here as I think they sum up well how we could change the way we consume communications:
“I commit…..
To not make sweeping generalizations or harbor stereotypes based on images. And when certain images impact me in a remarkable way—either positively or negatively—I will seek more information on the subject involved.” (IGVP Charter for Visual Peace)”
Imagine if we all did that – as photographers, as videographers and most importantly as consumers. Imagine a world where the donor gets annoyed if an image used on a poster or in a charity newsletter reinforces negative stereotypes and then they wrote in to the NGO to ask why. Imagine a world where people’s names, and lives, and loves and hates were all woven into the images and words that we use. Imagine a world where the donor is prepared to listen to and look at those lives and see the person behind the image. Imagine a world where good development and effective marketing work together because people refuse to buy stereotypical and donor focused images and words.
I do not have a magic solution to the complex problems outlined here. What I do know though is that I want to be someone that shows love and compassion in the way I work with people. I also understand that my photography is subjective; that I make choices about what to include and leave out of the frame. My images will only ever capture a moment. What I can do though is work my hardest to make sure that moment reflects their humanity. The person within the frame deserves dignity and love. We all do.
*Non Governmental Organisation (NGO)
**Participatory photography is photography involving the people that would normally be the subjects of the work. These individuals are trained to use cameras and to tell their own story.
This post is really good; Photography is always awesome if he have photographic skill
Thanks for stopping by and reading
good job friend
Thanku 🙂
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Great post…. good job, it was a delight to read it…
Reblogged this on Big Blue Dot Y'all and commented:
I love the heart in this point of view. It tackles some thorny issues of advocacy and marketing. Worth a slow read.
Thanks so much.
Reblogged this on hardiantomy.
I really love this, I think if all of us took a little time to relate to one another’s humanity the world would be a much better place. Moving post.
Thank you for taking the time to read it. I think there is a lot of hope for the world when we just keep it simple and love one another.
Re thank-you…. don’t mention it. 🙂
On the rest? I so agree Laura. I so agree.
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Fantastic post. I am just getting into photography as a hobby and am discovering how it’s not just a way of capturing or recording moments, but, like any other artistic medium, a way of interpreting and communicating messages. It’s great that you’re encouraging people to be more conscious of the impact that this has.
I hope you enjoy photography lots as a hobby. It is a great way of recording the world – have fun and be creative!
true
Thank you for sharing photos, thoughts and information.
You are right, the we all want love. And sharing a smile, helping others normally doesn’t cost a thing, but it makes a huge difference and make the world better.
Love and light
and to you!
Good to see an expanding discussion on dignity.
http://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/22328155
(Purchase not necessary to read online.)
I think the move towards a culture of love is crucial to break down the divides which exist between us. Tenderness and care gives us the strength, I think, to bring about a more respectful world. Strange that the quality which enables people to move cars to rescue children is described as fuzzy rather than as powerful.
That is so true! Love is such a powerful thing and yet in society we tend to belittle its strength
Participatory photography. Something new aquired here. And thanks for leading me to this interesting site IGVP. Joining now..
IGVP is a great community. Cannot recommend enough
Reblogged this on theazmi.wordpress.com.
amazing and moving pic!she luks so innocent!Thank you!Keep it up!
Reblogged this on S A M A N T H A.
Absolutely stunning and inspirational. Please keep up the good work, there’s a lot to be gained from your endeavors!
Wow, what a nice comment. Thanks so much x
My life phrase, when all else fails ~ Love. Wonderful post
Thank you.
Such a beautiful picture and post!
Thank you.
Please follow new blogger needing feed back xx
Really enjoyed this post! Participatory photography is a brilliant idea, and the comment made about the garden made such an impact on me. Those of us on the consuming side of the photograph so often forget that the person has a life, passions and hobbies beyond their poverty. I’ve been taking photographs for years, mostly as a hobby, but plan on travelling soon, and would love to get involved with some NGOs who work with photographers!
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A serious issue articulated so very well!
Thank you
wonderful post and fantastic reminder to us all… thank you!
passionate to this photography…
Really a great way of bringing out the bitter face of life which most of the people avoid..Good Job. !!
Thank you
Reblogged this on sourav singh.
Thank you for the references to Visual Peacemakers, etc. Appreciate this topic and awareness. May I add another type of photo which annoys the hell of me, as a Canadian but one with an Asian face:
I get freakin’ tired of photographers who will have a white person surrounded by non-whites. What is really infuriating, is especially if it’s related to a fashion shoot. It’s treating non-whites as furniture, wallpaper, but not central power base where the tourist is visiting or where the model is standing.
Thanks for the great feedback. I agree with your other photo pet hate too. In my context I have seen this happen a lot too. Non-white faces being used as props to make a point.
true
Reblogged this on My Village and commented:
Try and read this
Photography for humanity is what the world needs. Thanks for spreading words.
Thanks for reading!
This is a great post. I have just managed to build up the confidence to photograph people in my travels. You are spot in – all just want to be accepted and respected for who they are, not where they are. I have found a smile really helps to bring down the barriers, particularly when communication is problematic. Thanks for your thought provoking post.
Thanks for the response! Most people just really respond to connection – an effort to bridge the gap. As you say a smile does beyond the need for spoken language! Hope your photography continues to go well.
Awesome post.
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This is a very beautiful post. I am also just getting into photography, and I find your words very inspiring. I think you’ve pretty much said it all. Thanks
Thank you.
Reblogged this on gloryelstone's Blog and commented:
Love and Dignity
This is a really great point you’re making. It ties in to my own experience in a sense – I had been looking for a way to donate to charity and help people but had never found a good model until I stumbled upon Kiva, which accentuates the mutual respect and partnership between the lenders and borrowers. I immediately felt that this was the key to connecting those who need help and those who want to provide it – the realization that the poor are not some giant hungry mouth we need to keep shoveling resources into, but unique and individual people who take pride in their work and their lives, and who can in partnership with those who have more resources grow and improve not just their own lives but also their communities. Thanks for this lovely text!
Great response. I really like the Kiva model too. It doesn’t work for all areas of supporting development but for supporting livelihoods it is really good. Creates a sense of partnership rather than pity. Thanks for replying
that’s it exactly. The problem with pity is that it often comes bundled with a sort of ‘I’m-better-than-you’ contempt. Partnership is like helping out a friend – recognizing that circumstances don’t define the person. Keep up the great work 🙂
Thanks for the encouraging comment
This is so great! There’s an important distinction between loving thy neighbor and pitying them, isn’t there? Thanks for writing this and congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Thanks so much!
What a great post! I love how you began with Mother Teresa’s quote. It’s a very noble thing you are doing and I thank you for taking it upon yourself to educate all of us in seeing the poor and all human beings as people who should be loved and treated with dignity. Your image of the girl is beautiful. Congratulations for being Freshly Pressed!
Thanks for your kind words
This is good!!! What do you shoot with?!
Mostly Canon 5dmkii but also sometimes a simple compact (don’t always like having the big camera)
Thank you for this! As a society, we are advancing in our technology but, simultaneously, we are also becoming more robotic as our human-ness slowly fades. In our core, we all have LOVE. . . we all have the ability to LOVE. . . we just need to slow down and remember who we truly are. . . Love is all there is, after all is said and done. Thanks for a great, heartfelt post! Come visit me whenever you can!
Exactly. It is our capacity to love that defines all that is good in us. Thanks for stopping by!
very nice
interesting perspective. Although I do believe marketing is key even for NGOs to get people to donate, as you probably understand the power of visuals, you have a great point of view regarding the portrayal of human dignity.
Marketing is key and have worked in the past as a marketer for NGOs so know that well. Read the article I reference about NGO marketing as I think it raises so many good points. NGOs are stuck at the moment as certain images ‘sell’
I suppose like everything NGOs must also evolve to “keep up” with the times.
Some are really innovative and doing a great job of doing that too.
I have always admired a person with an eye for photography. I am still trying to learn the basics and I hope to be able to tell lovely visual stories like you someday.
What a sweet comment, thanks. I am still learning too though! Think we all are.
Great post. Photography is a powerful medium to convey the emotional impact of poverty to the viewer. Done with respect and dignity it can be a potent force for good.
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