Gladys poses for a portrait in the Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda on February 2020.
My trauma-informed approach to photography stems largely from my work on a long-term documentary project, which includes portraits of human trafficking survivors and accompanying testimonials and stories. I have worked with survivors of conflict in Uganda, organ trafficking of persons with albinism in Tanzania, sex trafficking in the United States, cybersex trafficking and forced domestic work in the Philippines, and forced marriage and child labor in Kenya.
A trafficking experience affects every area of a survivor’s life, and the long-term consequences can be severe. Unlike most other most other violent crimes, trafficking usually involves prolonged and repeated trauma. Every stage of the trafficking process can involve physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, including but not limited to violence, torture, the forced use of substances, and manipulation. This, of course, has serious psychological effects both during and after the experience. Many survivors are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, memory loss, anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, and other severe forms of mental trauma.
Given that many of my subjects suffer from post-traumatic stress, I’m extremely careful about the way I gather and share testimonials and stories. I strive to be a sounding board for the subject to discuss trauma and establish a connection that will lend itself to profound portraiture. Using a trauma-informed approach doesn’t mean that my intended outcome is to heal or change my subjects; rather, it is to reduce the probability of re-traumatization. Being photographed can be a vulnerable experience. My job is to be as prepared as possible by understanding the principles of trauma-informed care and applying it to my work.
I use five guiding principles: safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
Safety
- Communicating with the person regularly before the session to ensure all of their questions are answered
- Providing a welcoming and safe space for sharing their story
- Practicing consent before making physical contact with a subject
Trust and building relationships
- Explaining how and where images will be used
- Practicing consent
- Taking the time to deeply listen
- Exercising patience in waiting for subjects to present themselves and open up
During the session there is open conversation about their past experiences, where they see themselves at present, and about their future aspirations.
Choice
- Exercising the importance of agency
Collaboration
- Explaining to the subject that they are part of the creative process and that it is a partnership between us
- Before capturing images, exploring ideas and goals for the photography session, and the obstacles to achieving those goals
- Working collaboratively to capture images by inviting the subject to view the images that are being taken
Empowerment
- Providing a platform to tell their story so they can take control of their own narrative
Using these principles as a guide for my work with survivors of human trafficking has been an educational journey. As I continue learning how to implement trauma-informed practices into my process, I often reflect on how photography is a powerful tool to create awareness—but I am aware that we must take the utmost precaution to avoid causing harm. My aim is to empower survivors; to tap into the therapeutic power of photography to help survivors in recovery. Early on it became evident, for some, it nurtures their confidence, for others it has given them a feeling of being worthy and valued. The objective is to move away from notions of pity and disempowerment and to portray courage, honesty, beauty and strength. Sometimes I receive emails from survivors thanking me for listening; they’d never told their story before I gave them an opportunity. This is really what drives my work.
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