ISSP 2019 Publication - Photography and the World

I do think about the position we’re in collectively
and I’m really passionate about bringing that into
my work. This industry is really difficult. Photojournalism
is male dominated. That’s why we do
a session in my workshop asking, “Why the fuck
should we care about your dying grandmother?”
Essentially, why should personal work be important
and how is it important?
We saw that amazing talk yesterday
about changing the world from an activist
perspective, and after that session
I felt crippled. I thought, “I can’t show
my work, it’s nothing. What’s the point
of it?” I do have to give myself a bit of
a confidence boost about that actually,
and remind myself that personal work
is important—because it allows you to
have a conversation.
Self assessment and personal inquiry.
Self critique.
I should work within the context of
affection and the efficacy of affection,
power of memory, knowing possessives
and the importance of belonging and
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Is the idea we have of
“nature” still useful?
belongings, to produce work that is
honest, pure, and non-exploitative.
My principle of working is to be mindful
and to build trust.
To stay true to the story by being
honest and strict with myself, and constantly
double-checking my position.
Remember the audience, the work is for the viewers.
Engage in activism. Speak about politics. Don’t
overproduce. Lower the level of consumption. Do
no harm. Respect others and the world. Be honest.
Question inequality.
Be authentic. Always reflect and
question yourself.
Keep a caring attitude toward the people I photographed,
be honest with them and myself.
Be mindful of your surroundings and
expose the subtle mechanisms behind it.
Question and challenge existing narratives. Share
vulnerable stories, and work with stories which
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Which is more important,
the product or the process?