9 Photographers Highlight the Crucial Causes from Around the World
We’re streaming daily on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, and Spotify!
Over the past 12 months, The Phoblographer has worked closely with photographers that are doing extremely important work. From climate change to terrible injustice, we’ve shared the stories of nine photographers from across the world. The name of the series is Visual Momentum. Designed by Fujifilm and brought to life by yours truly, we’re proud of the work we’ve highlighted, and of the hard-working photographers who strive to show you important causes. In case you missed them, let’s reflect on what has been one of our most important series to date.
Cameras Used for Visual Momentum
Before we get into the photographers and their stories, let’s first take a look at the cameras used. As this series was sponsored by Fujifilm, it should come as no surprise that all cameras used were manufactured by Fujifilm.
Esther Mbabazi: Fujifilm Instax Mini 9
Melissa “Bunni” Elian: Fujifilm XT3
Nina Robinson: Fujifilm X Pro2
Mette Lampcov: Fujifilm XT2
Michael A. McCoy: Fujifilm XH1
Xyza Cruz Bacani: Fujifilm GFX50R
Katarina Premfors: Fujifilm GFX50S
1. Esther Mbabazi
Esther Mbabazi is a photojournalist based in Africa. Her work over the years has been well recognized, gaining coverage in The New York Times, TIME Magazine, and The Washington Post, to name a few. For her Visual Momentum spotlight, Mbabazi showed us the work she had done in rural Uganda. Her focus was on pregnancy, and the difficult challenges women face during and after child birth. You can read the full story here.
2. Nina Robinson
The work by Nina Robison told a beautiful story. From Minneapolis, Nina helped develop a course called Phototherapy. Nina started the program to help senior citizens engage in the arts. Those who took part would make photos and share stories. Being older they often had a lot to share. It soon became apparent this was more than just getting people to become engaged: it was offering them a form of therapy. You can read the full story here.
3. Mette Lampcov
Wildfires have continued to be a big deal in 2020. For Los-Angeles based photographer Mette Lampcov, the impact of climate change was something she was determined to highlight. She began her series, Water to Dust, which looks at how climate change is a two-pronged problem in the state of California. Her goal is to use the work to open our eyes to how this global issue is threatening to cause destruction. You can read the full story here.
4. Michael A. McCoy
Michael A. McCoy is a US veteran, having served two tours for his country. Arlington National Cemetery is home to thousands of US soldiers who have passed away. It contains many sections which attract people from all over the US, as they visit to pay their respects. However there’s one section, McCoy says, that receives little recognition. Section 27 has 5000 resting African Americans, many of whom were soldiers. Yet, when people visit, this area is often void of any footfall, as people tend not to know about it. You can read the full story here.
5. Xyza Cruz Bacani
Xyza Cruz Bacani is a Hong Kong-based Filipina author. For 10 years Bacani worked as a second generation migrant worker. She knows all too well about the harsh realities migrants face in a country that’s adored by tourists worldwide. Moving to documentary photography, Bacani felt it was time to make migrant voices heard, creating images that helped share their story. You can read the full story here.
6. Mario Cruz
Mario Cruz is a Portuguese photojournalist. In 2018, Cruz turned his lens towards the Philippines. Working in the capital, Manila, Cruz zoned in specifically on the Pasig River. The river is not only heavily polluted, but it’s also populated. Families, including children, live in some of the most difficult environments, and it’s heartbreaking that they have to call it home. You can read the full story here.
7. Katarina Premfors
Cystic Fibrosis is a rare condition that impacts only 100,000 people around the world. Yet the impact it has on those that have it is fatal, with the average life expectancy of someone with CF being only 40 years old. When Katarina Premfors was invited to work on an annual calendar called Oxygen, it was the perfect opportunity for her to mix her passion for photography and good causes. The calendar set out to raise funds for the CF Foundation. You can read the full story here.
8. Juanita Escobar
Colombian photographer, Juanita Escobar, put her attention towards the Orinoco River. Nestled between Colombia and Venezuela, the river is a symbol of the geographical divide between the two countries. Conflict is no stranger to this part of the world, and adversity is common for those that live around it. Escobar found it was women in particular that suffered the most, and she used her camera to help highlight their struggle. You can read the story here.
9. Melissa “Bunni” Elian
Melissa “Bunni” Elian comes with her own personal story. In her younger days, she spent time in jail after been arrested for a DWI. It helped change her direction, and after, she decided to commit to photography. Years later, Elian followed a black male, showing his struggle to be a father, build a dream, and manage his day job. It’s all very inspiring and you can read the full story here.
Proud of Visual Momentum
It was an absolute pleasure for The Phoblographer to work with these fantastic photographers and help showcase their important stories. We’re very proud of this series. And even though it’s over, we will continue to share the most important work that helps raise awareness of the world’s most difficult circumstances.