After heading back to the hotel, I met up with my friend Tim Matsui who is here producing media related to trafficking. This makes for the perfect time for a little backstory about how I ended up in Cambodia. (warning: fragmented, rambling story ahead).
So I've wanted to do documentary photography for some time now. Specifically, I wanted to tell the stories of people whose voice otherwise may not be heard, and I wanted to focus on areas outside of the US. With no formal training in photography or journalism (my degree is in graphic design) and no real documentary portfolio, I had a hard time finding any work that would produce a viable income stream. I had been working random jobs for several years, and always doing photography on the side, waiting for 'some day' to take the leap into full time. And then my sister was diagnosed with leukemia. She was 30 years old...so young...and that was a huge wake up call for me. I thought if I knew this was my dream, I couldn't keep putting it off for 'someday', because who knows what the future holds? So I took the leap and started my business, and figured I had to at least give it a shot. I started out doing a little bit of everything, and ended up falling in love with wedding photography. I made that my focus with the intention of taking time in the 'off season' to pursue photography projects that inspire and encourage social change. That was almost two and a half years ago.
Sometime in the beginning of the year I stumbled upon the travel blog of a couple who spent several weeks traveling throughout Asia. While I love to travel, Asia has never really been on my radar...until I saw Rebecca's posts about their time in Cambodia. Before that, I probably wouldn't have been able to find Cambodia on a map, but I was really intrigued by her photos and the organizations that they worked with while they were here. I started doing a little more research, and was horrified by some of the stories I was reading. I decided that I wanted to come to Cambodia to help raise awareness about some of the issues facing this country and it's people. Finding someone to come with me, however, was more daunting task. After asking around for a few weeks, I decided to just go ahead and book my plane ticket and figure out the details later. Not my first choice, but I'd rather go by myself then not go at all. Like any good Facebooker, I updated my status to reflect I had just booked my flight to Cambodia.
Tim is a photojournalist who lives in Seattle, I met him last year when I photographed his sister's wedding. We chatted a bit at the wedding and sent a few emails afterwords in regard to his nonprofit, but didn't stay in close touch. As luck (or fate?) would have it, Tim and I are Facebook friends, so when he saw on Facebook that I had booked a ticket to Cambodia, he sent me a message asking when I'd be here, as he was going to be in Cambodia as well. I took a peek at his blog, and saw that he had been here several months prior, doing exactly the kind of work I was interested in. He came back this November to finish up some work and stories he started in the beginning of the year. After a few emails and a phone call, it seemed like the stars had aligned for me, and I suddenly knew someone who was going to be in Cambodia at the same time I was, had similar interests, had already been doing work in the areas I wanted to, and was totally cool with showing me around and making some introductions. Seriously, what are the chances of that?
So Tim and I met up and made plans to meet up for dinner and drinks with some guys from SISHA (South East Asia Investigations into Social and Humanitarian Activities). One of the things SISHA does is investigative and undercover work to gather evidence that will lead to convictions. We went to a series of 'girlie bars', which started out a little tame and ended up with girls dancing on poles. They were specifically looking for girls that were underaged, or there against their will, since actually working at one of these places isn't a crime, and many of the women are there by choice. There simply aren't a lot of employment opportunities for women here, and this line of work pays very well in comparison to say, working in a garment factory. (As a side note, the number of middle aged white men in these places was really creepy.) It was eye-opening for me to see a little slice of the sex trade here, even though it was more of the PG version, at least comparatively. I really appreciated the opportunity to spend the evening with a group of guys who have dedicated their lives to helping trafficking victims, and witness a small part of what they do.
{December 14, 2008 10:47 PM} Apryl said: I think it is amazing you are following the next part of your dream! You are going to set the world on fire! You go girl! (Facebook is a crazy thing isn't it?!)
{December 16, 2008 8:51 AM} Joanne Bartone Photographer said: I am sooooooooooooo PROUD of you. You are an inspiration to dream seekers everywhere! I can't wait for the gallery showing of all your amazing work when you get back. I promise to help you hang images where ever you show!!!! BIG love, Joanne
{December 30, 2008 3:43 PM} simone said: when you really want something in your heart, the universe aligns itself so that it comes true. i am so glad to know you.