WHAT IS A PHOTOSTORY?
The ‘I AM EQUAL’ PhotoStory is part of the global photo documentary project from Jason Beckett and photographer Matt Spencer. Each story is voluntarily written and shared by individuals who have taken part in the documentary project by getting a photo during an event in a city near them. These stories are personal expressions of that individual and reflect their reason for joining the ‘I AM EQUAL’ movement.
Some stories are intensely personal and reveal times of struggle, challenge, abuse, and hardship in their life; while others are affirmations of the participant’s commitment to be part of what makes this world a better place. Everyone who takes part in the ‘I AM EQUAL’ Photo Documentary is welcome to share a PhotoStory.
HOW TO SHARE MY PHOTOSTORY
There are a few steps to sharing a PhotoStory with the ‘I AM EQUAL’ project and it all starts with…
STEP 1: GET AN ‘I AM EQUAL’ PHOTO
Simple enough, the first step to sharing your PhotoStory is to take part in an ‘I AM EQUAL’ photo event. The world tour will visit 175 cities around the world, so make a point of getting involved.
STEP 2: OWN YOUR PERSONAL VALUE
Your PhotoStory will be a powerful tool to inspire and empower people around the world to recognize their personal value and claim their personal worth. Inspiring that in others starts with you recognizing it in yourself.
STEP 3: TELL YOUR STORY
Inspiring others is as easy as being open, honest, and vulnerable with your story. While some people choose to share just a few sentences about their involvement with the project, others use the opportunity to tell their story in a way that others can identify with and see part of their own life mirrored in yours.
Your PhotoStory can be personal about your own life, or be anecdotal about something you saw or learned about. You may choose to use this opportunity to talk about someone you know who inspired you to get active and involved in this cause, or even a story you read that moved you to take action to make a difference.
WHAT STORIES ARE BEING SHARED?
There are countless stories that are shared through the ‘I AM EQUAL’ Photo Documentary project, and just as each photo is unique, so too are the stories people share. You may notice common themes and subjects the stories touch on, but each is uniquely different within the conversation of EQUALITY.
You will find stories about women’s rights and domestic violence alongside stories of child abuse and slavery. There are people sharing about marriage equality and LGBT rights, while others are sharing about immigration reform and fair wages.
These essays tell the stories of survivors, activists, volunteers, mothers, sons, daughters, fathers, friends, family, neighbors, and communities who are standing up to inspire the world around them to see that we are all valuable, worthy or respect, and equal under the sun.
