Our Team
Laura Sherwood
As a humanitarian photographer and social scientist, I've dedicated my life to a profound mission: empowering marginalized communities to share their stories, struggles, and voices. My journey began over a decade ago in 2009 when I embarked on a photography adventure to India, initially aiming to document cultural weddings. However, fate had other plans. During that trip, I formed a deep connection with a Tibetan monk who shared his personal experiences of persecution and torture for practicing his religion. This encounter and subsequent interactions with local community members opened my eyes to the profound social and political injustices faced by certain communities. It was this awakening that ignited my passion for using photography as a force for social change.
My quest for knowledge led me through a rich academic journey, culminating in a Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University. Throughout my educational path, my focus remained on gender equality and artistic activism, with a keen interest in how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) utilize visual arts to raise awareness about critical issues, connect with funders and policymakers, and actively engage communities in the process.
My research also delved into the world of NGOs, particularly through an ethnographic case study of the Photographers Without Borders program. This initiative brings together photographers from around the globe to collaborate directly with local communities, unveiling and communicating stories that support NGO partners. One such partnership was with the Sambhalii Trust, a local NGO in India dedicated to empowering children and women who face abuse, poverty, and cultural oppression as the lowest caste. Witnessing the transformative work of these organizations was a privilege that fueled my commitment to fostering collaborative efforts to address societal inequalities.
Drawing from my experience working with NGOs and community empowerment programs, I've observed the challenges that organizations face in staying true to their missions amid bureaucratic complexities and fundraising pressures. My highest aspiration is to help these organizations rediscover their core purpose by fostering reflective practices and collaborative processes that amplify the visual narratives of the communities they serve.
A decade of nonprofit work and academic research has deepened my understanding of photovoice and visual storytelling. I've come to realize that handing people cameras is only the beginning. Photovoice is a thoughtful, nuanced process that requires meticulous preparation, collaboration, and the art of facilitation. The heart of the Photovoice Empowerment Project lies in creating spaces where communities can bring their stories to the forefront, ensuring that their experiences are authentically represented and communicated to those who have the power to drive change.
In the words of a powerful quote, "Images possess the unique ability to tell stories that words alone could never capture."
