ISSP 2019 Publication - Photography and the World

Our personal narratives give access points to create
a relationship between the personal and the larger
scope of politics.
Our personal narratives serve as
representations and reflections of the
communities that we are part of, these
tiny stories make up a bigger picture.
By sharing our own stories, we shine
a light on others that do not have the
voice and means to express their stories.
By including our personal point of view in the project,
we can build a stronger emotional connection with the
subjects within the communities in which we belong.
By telling intimate, individual stories, I
also tell the story of someone else and I
make room for others to relate and see
their own stories reflected.
I don’t believe that art can change anything, but it’s
hard not to make art.
I believe every personal story is political.
I want to show what is often pointed out as
“different” in a universal and poetic manner.
I want to believe that by analyzing and challenging
the basic mechanisms of our interactions and the
powers behind it, we can slowly build a new kind
of non-anthropocentric worldview that will benefit
both humans and our environment.
Telling personal, vulnerable stories that
often are treated as a taboo in society
is a rebellious act by not giving in to silencing.
It is an act of healing ourselves
and contributing to healing others.
By telling our narratives we are validating our experiences,
our feelings and the feelings of those around
us. It's a way to put ourselves on the map and say
“We are here.” There's a proverb that goes, “Horses
for courses.” It means, to each their own—so, by
nature, as a photographer who uses the personal as
a subject matter, I should rather serve my story than
serve some other bigger story.
As artists, we are already sensitive to
the world and contribute to daily life.
By making personal work and reaching
others, we create small thoughts or
039 How do we excuse ourselves?
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What is my voice for?