Visual Storytelling in any culture is important… it has been as long as mankind has existed. The medium has evolved … the art has become digital as well as tactile. The tools for creation have become many. But the core value of imagery as a vehicle for storytelling is the same.

When I was asked to do the visual storytelling for the Wedding of my friends Junior & Dominique…

my husband, Ryan, and I started dreaming of ways that we could maximize our trip, and give away what we know about storytelling photography and discipleship. We began working with Pastor St Cyr and his son Junior to plan a few seminars that would help us do just that.

The dream came to fruition this week. I had the pleasure of teaching 17 students the basics of photography, and began brainstorming with them about how they can use visual storytelling to help support their families. I hope to plan further seminars with these students, and create a network of local and  Stateside photographers who will mentor these Haitian storytellers  as they carve out a business for themselves. This will be an ongoing process, and I am thrilled to be a part of such a challenging task. It will be worth it!

Ketia.. student and unplanned model for the composition portion of the seminar

Haiti has an 80% unemployment rate. Therefor, job creation is crucial to helping our friends in Haiti. It is one if the keys to eliminating child trafficking and bringing dignity to this resilient people. If photographers like myself will give themselves to teaching and training other photographers, I believe we can have a wonderful impact on future generations of Haitians.

 

I’m off to the Wedding rehearsal now to enjoy the company of my friends and do a bit of research on the what this Haitian Wedding will be like tomorrow. Eek… I am excited!