Could you tell us more about the Empower Her Lens Fund?
The Empower Her Lens Fund is an initiative we launched to mobilise financial resources from individuals and organisations to support emerging photographers who have participated in our programs. As the name suggests, it’s about “empowering their lens”, putting resources behind the skills they have gained through our training so they can continue to grow. The fund provides financial backing to cover the costs of pursuing their own personal photo projects.
The fund serves multiple purposes: it allows participants to continue developing their photography and storytelling skills, create opportunities for income, and keep highlighting the issues they explored in their initial projects. For example, if a participant documented a drought in 2022 and solutions or responses have since emerged, the fund gives her the opportunity to pitch a follow-up project to amplify those solutions. In addition to covering costs, the fund also provides technical support from our team to help these photographers bring their projects to life successfully.
The initiative also aims to disrupt the traditional idea of philanthropy, which is often seen as the domain of the very wealthy. Here, individuals can contribute in ways that are meaningful for them even smaller amounts, like $250, $500, can make a real difference. That could be enough to commission one photographer for a small assignment or support a larger project, depending on the contribution. Donors can also receive recognition through a byline and access to the images produced, giving them a tangible connection to the work they’ve supported.
Thus far, we have already seen individuals and small businesses contribute a percentage of their income to the fund, and this support has enabled our photographers to take on assignments exploring important issues—such as culture, the connection between climate and community resilience. See more here.