Joan Morse is a JFS Board Member and amateur photographer. Last year, she had the opportunity to travel and photograph in India. We talked with Joan about her art and the connections she sees to JFS.
Do you see any parallels between your photography and the service and social work of JFS?
I like to photograph people, which fundamentally requires making a connection. As a photographer, I can make a connection verbally, or if there’s a language barrier, through gestures. It’s actually amazing how well you can connect with someone who speaks a completely different language. Smiles, nods, and hand motions can elicit cooperation, laughter, sadness and distress, among other reactions. Regardless of methodology, it’s that communication that connects you, and builds the trust you need to really capture the essence of a person in a photograph. I believe that the people who work at JFS need to create similar, though most often far deeper, connections with people in order to really understand their clients and best meet their needs.
How do you engage your subjects?
It starts by asking. This is how you show respect. Some people are very open to being photographed, and some will immediately wave you off. It’s mostly about the human connection. Once you have a connection to the person, you can also take in the physicality of the subject, their environment and their actions, in addition to their reactions to you and your camera.
What do you hope to convey through your photographs?
I want to offer people visual examples of the opportunities to make a difference, and I hope, compel action. For example, while in India, I photographed a poor mother and her child. The child was under a year old and was sitting on the ground next to her mom, who was completely passed out. It was arresting. Poverty in India is widespread, you can see some pretty awful situations, and you can’t possibly help everyone. This small child, however, was so completely vulnerable. I couldn’t walk by. I couldn’t take the child, clothe the child, feed the child or even give the child money. But I could photograph her, tell her story and hopefully compel empathy and action in constructive ways with others.
By Deb Frockt
Deb Frockt is Director of Marketing & Communications. She enjoys baking, beaching and learning about golf, both kinds of football, fashion and pop music from her husband and sons.
