Category Archives: Non-profit Work

Workshop: Teaching Students From The Middle East

Mercy Corps International asked me to teach a photography and storytelling class to 22 students from the Middle East.  Seven countries were represented, and the class was highly energetic and inquisitive.

I was amazed at how quickly the students incorporated various lighting, composition and subject approach techniques into their imagery in such a short period of time.

(Photos by Brynn Opsahl)

Workshop: Mercy Corps’ Communication Team

I am teaching photography classes for NGOs and corporations, and it is especially gratifying to work with an established team already in place when I arrive. We explore many areas of communications and focus on the psychology behind obtaining visually impacting images.  Photography is about much more than just the devices we use for capturing imagery.

Here is the Mercy Corps’ Communications Department having a great time with some of the random subjects we met on the street.

Lecture: Safe Motherhod Conference

I had the honor of being a guest lecturer at the Safe Motherhood Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on April 20. I was the only person who spoke who was not a medical professional, but the audience seemed to appreciate the topic of documentary imagery. I focused on maternal care and the prevention of fistula in Ethiopia, but also spoke about the work I have done in Madagascar.

I included a section about composition and lighting and discussed how they can take better photos of their important work in developing nations. I also showed them how these images can have an impact on the work they perform and the support they require.

Mercy Corps Action Center

Just saw the permanent display at Mercy Corps International headquarters, and they used many of my portraits from around the world.

Here is a link to the Action Center. It is very interactive! They have tools that people use in developing countries, videos, many things to touch, see, experience. It is a great place for kids and adults, as children can teach us many things about our preconceptions regarding developing countries and what they have to offer the world.

Take a young person’s hand and bring them there with you!

 

Mercy Corps: Featured Blog Post

Mercy Corps hired me to do some work in Gidole and Konso areas when I was in Ethiopia last month. They produced a slideshow of images that was featured in their newsletter and on their website on International Women’s Day. I hope our combined efforts bring forth increased awareness regarding how important it is to support a girl’s education in rural areas within Ethiopia.

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