Welcome to 10.Q Interviews. This section usually features interviews to Humanitarian, Cultural & Travel Photographers, their work and photography.

This week in 10.Q Interviews, Lane Davis:

“I love capturing images that tell a story. I’m a believer that everyone has a story and those stories deserve to be told and what better way to do that then through a language that has no barriers, photographs. I’m currently based in east texas but available for assignment worldwide. Shoot me an e-mail, I’d love to hear from you.”

 

1. Tell us about you and your photography. What kinds of shooting have you done? Have you worked for any humanitarian organizations/magazines etc.?

Could you name any current or former clients?

I love people and stories so I try to let that shape my photography.  I’m relatively new to the photography world, having picked up my first DSLR about three years ago.  I learned from shooting wherever I could and whenever possible.  I’ve shot weddings, portrait sessions, events, work for non-profit organizations, and I’ve done work for my church in Texas and their international partners.

Shooting for my church led to my current project.  For the next nine months, I’ve partnered with an international organization called Bright Hope World (http://brighthopeworld.com) to document the work they are doing throughout Africa and Asia.

2. We all know that you don’t get into humanitarian photography to become rich, so what does humanitarian photography mean to you? What’s your vision for it?

Everyone has a story.  And we all relate to each other through stories.  Some stories have joy, some have pain, some have both.  But they are all stories… people’s stories deserve to be heard.  Humanitarians, charities, NGO’s and ordinary people around the globe are doing incredible things for their neighbors, friends, family and strangers. As a humanitarian photographer I want to capture what these people are doing and the stories around them.  I want to express a commonality between the person in the story and the people viewing the images.  And through that commonality, cause people to respond.  We are all human… all equal… and great stories move people to action.

Gary S. Chapman said it best in his interview (http://www.hebervega.com/2010/03/12/10q-series-gary-chapman/) when he said this… “I am responding to your questions from the paradigm of a Christian worldview. Our purpose that drives our passion is: 1-There is a God; 2-He loves us; 3-He wants us to love others. And what is true love? …that we lay down our lives for others.”

That is a fundamental element to my shooting.  These stories that I work to capture are small scenes in the greater story I believe God is painting throughout mankind.

3. How did you get into humanitarian photography? Where did you get the idea to shoot these kinds of people and groups?

Three years ago while working for a summer camp, I was asked to travel with a team to Kenya to put on a summer camp for Maasai children.  I had never traveled overseas before and didn’t know anything about photography.  I loved images, but knew nothing on how to capture an image.  I bought a DSLR three weeks before we left and soaked up everything I could about photography.  I begged anyone and everyone who knew the slightest bit about what shutter speed and aperture were to tell me all they knew.  The images from that month in the bush of Kenya were in a large way just a hobby creating memories for the team.  Once back in Texas I posted them online for everyone on the trip. I began receiving emails, calls, and comments from people who weren’t part of the trip saying how they were moved by an image or saw certain emotions or elements in an image.  These other people connected with emotions or elements that I experienced while in Kenya and I thought that was only possible through a verbal explanation with someone. It all began to click then that there was something very powerful about an image and it’s abilities to tell stories that sometimes words couldn’t.  I guess you could say I was hooked right then!  I have worked ever since to come to where I am today in my profession to be able to capture more stories. Stories that ultimately speak when words can’t shed light on the fact that underneath all the cultural differences, we are all humans and have a duty to care for our neighbor, and ultimately, to call people to action to serve one another.

4. What are the challenges of shooting for NGO’s or non-profit organizations?

There are challenges that come in executing an assignment: language barriers, cultural barriers, etc.  Trying to learn someone’s story isn’t always easy. Sometimes it comes with time and you may not always have the time you need.

There is a tight rope you are always walking in determining how long it takes in one place to really be able to do justice to the story and at the same time be mindful of the budget for the project.

There is also the issue of how to make a living out of it.  It will be interesting to see what happens over the next two years.  I won’t pretend I know the solution or answer though.  I’ve enjoyed the comments and discussion this series (http://www.hebervega.com/category/10q-interviews/) has brought, as well as the new 3-part series (http://www.hebervega.com/2010/05/04/why-we-should-not-do-pro-bono-work/) you just introduced.  I’m continually brainstorming ways to approach this issue and NGO’s and think the more we can discuss this topic openly the more likely we will come to a solution.

5. How much do you travel every year? How do you manage your family time?

This year I will be gone for nine straight months.  I’m single, so that makes it a bit easier to be gone for so long.  However, it can be hard at times to be away from family, friends and community.  It is important to be as intentional as possible to communicate with people back home (email, Skype, text, etc.) as well as being intentional to develop the relationships you form while traveling.

6. Who’s been an inspiration for your photography? How do you stay inspired?

Do you read blogs? If so, which ones would you recommend?

Inspiration comes from all over.  I love photography in general, not just humanitarian/cultural photography, and I find inspiration in all of it.  In the humanitarian world, a lot of the guys you’ve had on this series (http://www.hebervega.com/category/10q-interviews/) have been a huge inspiration.  Gary S. Chapman (http://garyschapman.com/blog/), David duChemin (http://www.pixelatedimage.com/blog/), Matt Brandon (http://www.thedigitaltrekker.com/), as well as Esther Havens (http://estherhavens.com/blog/), Austin Mann (http://www.austinmann.com/trek/) and others.

In the states, I read a lot of blogs.  Probably too many.  However, on the road I fall behind on blogs.  I’m also finding that being in the field for an extended period of time creates challenges for inspiration.  It would seem that shouldn’t be the case, but the reality is anything and everything can become routine.  No matter where you are.  It takes discipline to continually push yourself looking for ways to creatively capture and tell the story the best you can.  Sometimes you have to create disciplines within your life that will stretch you to be creative.  I’m learning this every day.

7. How do you normally approach people from other cultures? What are your limits at the moment of shooting people in need, or in a complicated situation?

For the most part, I typically photograph people with whom I’m building a relationship.  I very seldom, if ever, photograph strangers.  I don’t appreciate some strange person sticking a big camera in my face, so I usually don’t do it to others.  My images come out of a framework of getting to know someone, hearing their story and with their permission.  On some projects I may not even shoot a single frame the first day or two.  I want people to know I care about them, their story and listening to them, not just snapping pictures.

I’m always contemplating what frames are needed in the story. Sometimes surroundings help build the framework for a story so you need to shoot frames that illustrate this and they are not the subject of your story.  If I feel it might be invasive or not appropriate, I seek guidance from a trusted local about how to earn the right to shoot the frame needed.

I come at photography with a humanitarian viewpoint rather than from a photojournalism background so the perspective of capturing stories and staying separate from the story scene is a bit foreign to me and I honestly struggle where that balance is. My role in most cases is a storyteller capturing someone’s story and it takes me interacting for a period of time in the community with the people to learn and know the story. I feel it is a different approach, a different philosophy, and a different end goal or audience.

This also plays into how I address complicated situations. It is my belief that to do humanitarian photography you have to love people and care for their well being.  In that you must recognize when there are immediate needs that must be met or a certain image wouldn’t leave that person with integrity and know when to set the camera down.  And ultimately for me, as a Christ follower, I believe in order to do that it is necessary to pray and seek God’s guidance on when to shoot and when not to.

8. How do you promote your work?

I use Twitter, Facebook, websites and blogs.  But like most people and in most businesses… work comes from meeting people, building relationships and people’s recommendations.

 

9. Tell us about the last piece of gear that you deemed important enough to buy. How about the one that’s been most important in your career?

(It can be a lens, camera, accessory, etc.)

I’m a big fan of my 5DMKII, and it is nice being able to shoot quality video when needed.  A great inexpensive piece of gear that I love is the UltraPod II.  It’s a small compact mini-tripod that can hold a 5DMKII with battery grip and a 24-70mm.  I use it a lot for all sorts of things.  The velcro strap that comes with it allows you to strap it to a pole or tree limb or other things.  It’s about $20US I think online.

10. What would be your advice for a photographer who is just starting out in this field?

Know why you do what you do.  Have a purpose.  Know your gear.  Constantly learn.  Keep shooting.  Press on.  Love people well.

links and social media:

website: http://lanedavisphotography.com

travel/journey blog: http://totellastory.org

twitter: http://twitter.com/lanedavis

twitter: http://twitter.com/totellastory

facebook: http://facebook.com/lanedavisphotography

skype: lane.d