Pictures of Canadian Aid to Refugees and Displaced People Abroad
"Reflection on photographing refugees"
by Stephanie Colvey, photographer
I photographed people displaced by war inside their own country and refugees on several occasions during the 1990s and 2000s. I was touched and inspired by the resilience I observed in many, by the care and empathy of aid workers, and also at times by the generosity people were able to show me though they were living through such difficult situations.
I was propelled by my motivation and hope that my photos would contribute to inform and increase awareness and sensitivity of fellow Canadians as to how ordinary people are victims of political power games, and to show the humanity of the person behind the statistics.
Now at home, I am photographing Syrian refugee families who have fled the war in their country and are starting a new life in Canada. I have been following some families for two years. I am taking the time to develop a closer relationship with the people I am photographing compared to what I was able to do when photographing the situation of refugees overseas. On a personal level and as a photographer this is most satisfying. Although the photos I produce are perhaps not as dramatic as photos of people in a refugee camp or other very difficult situations, I hope that the closeness I have with the people I am photographing is reflected in the photos, and can be shared with the viewer.
I wonder at times if it is my experience of photographing people affected by war overseas that has instigated me to embark on photographing refugees beginning their new lives in Canada. If anything, it is the resilience of people that I witnessed while photographing overseas, that spurred me on to follow, get to know and document newly arrived refugees in Canada.
This project has also allowed me to meet committed members of support organizations as well as fellow citizens who have been helping newly arrived refugees. I am learning how, through various acts of kindness, they are easing in very meaningful ways the challenges of entry into a new life in a new country. The generosity of my fellow Canadians has now become part of the story I wish to share in my photo documentary on the welcoming of Syrian refugees.
by Stephanie Colvey
Montréal, February 13, 2018
I was propelled by my motivation and hope that my photos would contribute to inform and increase awareness and sensitivity of fellow Canadians as to how ordinary people are victims of political power games, and to show the humanity of the person behind the statistics.
Now at home, I am photographing Syrian refugee families who have fled the war in their country and are starting a new life in Canada. I have been following some families for two years. I am taking the time to develop a closer relationship with the people I am photographing compared to what I was able to do when photographing the situation of refugees overseas. On a personal level and as a photographer this is most satisfying. Although the photos I produce are perhaps not as dramatic as photos of people in a refugee camp or other very difficult situations, I hope that the closeness I have with the people I am photographing is reflected in the photos, and can be shared with the viewer.
I wonder at times if it is my experience of photographing people affected by war overseas that has instigated me to embark on photographing refugees beginning their new lives in Canada. If anything, it is the resilience of people that I witnessed while photographing overseas, that spurred me on to follow, get to know and document newly arrived refugees in Canada.
This project has also allowed me to meet committed members of support organizations as well as fellow citizens who have been helping newly arrived refugees. I am learning how, through various acts of kindness, they are easing in very meaningful ways the challenges of entry into a new life in a new country. The generosity of my fellow Canadians has now become part of the story I wish to share in my photo documentary on the welcoming of Syrian refugees.
by Stephanie Colvey
Montréal, February 13, 2018
I was propelled by my motivation and hope that my photos would contribute to inform and increase awareness and sensitivity of fellow Canadians as to how ordinary people are victims of political power games, and to show the humanity of the person behind the statistics.
