500px Studio recently wrapped the first photo series of Focused—a new initiative that brings passionate photographers together once every quarter to highlight critical social issues. For its debut spotlight, #OrangeTheWorld, 500px Studio teamed up with 16 photographers from around the globe to raise awareness of gender-based violence through a variety of perspectives, inspired by UNiTE to End Violence against Women.
The result is a compilation of moving photo series that inspire hope for a world free from violence against women and girls. See excerpts from the series below, and the essays in full on the 500px Studio Blog.
Magda Zofia
Instagram: @magdazofia
Website: www.magdazofia.com
“I approached this series as an opportunity to document the reality of abuse, capturing authentic moments with this woman and her children. I spent the day playing with the kids, engaging with them and trying to provide a safe place for this family to express their raw, uncensored emotions, how they have survived their experience with this issue.”
– See the full photo series from Magda Zofia
Meelie Mckay
Instagram: @snapshotmeelie
Website: www.snapshotmeelie.co.uk
“You may not know her face, but you may have sat next to her in her back garden. Or by a bus shelter. She may live next door to you. She might have given you a lift to work, yet she may not speak about it. It could be a current situation that she’s going through, but she hides it. She may now be a survivor, but she may not tell you.”
– See the full photo series from Meelie Mckay
Amy Woodward
Instagram: @rawandrealbyamyk
Website: www.rawandrealbyamyk.com
“I am an emotive photographer, compelled by each empathic collaboration between myself and my subjects. Every. Single. Human deserves to be seen. I meet these subjects where they’re at, and we create from a safe space, together.”
– See the full photo series from Amy Woodward
Gabriela Tulian
Instagram: @gabrielatulian
Website: www.gabrielatulian.com
“This series talks about the work that goes into reconstruction and personal healing that a woman may experience after a trauma… The power of letting go, focusing on the positive and little things that make her happy; feeling confident and valuable.”
– See the full photo series from Gabriela Tulian
Rodolfo Coelho
Instagram: @rodolfocoelhophotography
Website: www.rodolfocoelho.com.br
“Most of the images capture women mid movement, pulsing energy throughout this series, but display a sense of calm in their facial expression; these women are comfortable and relaxed in their skin – celebrating womanhood.”
– See the full photo series from Rodolfo Coelho
Lauren Simpson
Instagram: @lauren.simps
Website: www.laurensimpson.co
“For me, this project is a cry for both men and women to look around, ask better questions, and be more intentional with our care for one another. The smile you see on the outside may not be the full story. Violence against women should not be the norm and it’s time we all step up to protect one another.”
– See the full photo series from Lauren Simpson
Kageaki Smith
Instagram: @kageakis
Website: www.kageaki.com
Said 500px Studio: “He approaches this series creating and capturing private moments of internal struggle, unveiling a subtle narrative and introducing us to the sometimes unseen consequences of violence experienced by women.”
– See the full photo series from Kageaki Smith
Samuel Petras
Instagram: @samuel_alex__
Said 500px Studio: “Stating that he wanted his images to feel almost ‘surreal’ in their appearance, blurring the line between reality and the subconscious, experiences of mental anguish one may feel after experiencing some form of psychological or physical abuse.”
– See the full photo series from Samuel Petras
Zahra Saleki
Instagram: @zahrasaleki
Website: www.zahrasaleki.com
“I think one of my roles as an artist is to make people rethink and pause to see what is going on around them, and if I can make the smallest difference and make someone a little more conscious in life, then I think I did what I had to do. I chose to be a part of this campaign because we need to stop violence against women and it’s a big issue affecting us all, every day.”
– See the full photo series from Zahra Saleki
Inna Mosina
Instagram: @inna_mosina_arts
Website: www.innamosina.com
“It is important to love yourself and remember that you are not alone and you will not be left behind.”
– See the full photo series from Inna Mosina
Sasin Tipchai
Instagram: @sasintipchai
Sasin states that he chooses to provide “the perspective of women’s life in Asia, especially in developing countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia, where gender stereotypes favour men over women.”
– See the full photo series from Sasin Tipchai
Briony Douglas
Instagram: @dontfeedtheunicorn
Website: www.brionydouglas.com/
“I am grateful to be a part of this project as it is something I myself was touched by years ago. I think the more people speak out about it, the less people out there will feel alone. I am glad to be a part of that conversation.”
– See the full photo series from Briony Douglas
Gina Vasquez
Instagram: @ginaaballerina
Website: www.ginavasquez.com
“Everyone has their own way of communicating, and I believe that artists have a special ability to express these thoughts and touch the emotions of others—I hope to be able to add my voice and experience to the fight in ending violence against women in this way.”
– See the full photo series from Gina Vasquez
Eivind Hansen
Instagram: @eivindhansen
Website: www.eivindhansen.com
“It was important to me that I represented these women in a way that respectfully showed who they were and how they wanted to be seen. Through these portraits, I portray these women as strong, beautiful, graceful, sexy, happy and ethereal women. I chose to produce an empowering and positive narrative for this project, that provides visibility and aids in a stronger and unified voice for Transgender women and advocates for their rights and need for equality.”
– See the full photo series from Eivind Hansen
Mutz Ishizawa
Instagram: @capturetokyo
Website: www.capturetokyo.com
“This was a difficult project for us; creatively, mentally, and emotionally. We wanted to show the impact of sexual and physical harassment as well as mental abuse. We tried a variety of scenes and scenarios, and were able to put together this series, our intention; to heighten people’s awareness about different forms of abuse.”
– See the full photo series from Mutz Ishizawa
Tobias Clarke
Instagram: @helprwanda
“The power of women who have suffered much yet have found the inner strength to rise above their past problems is an amazing thing. So often here in Rwanda, I speak to these women and hear their stories and their striving to be more and to propel their children into a future they never had. In these series of photos, I wanted to celebrate them as women and to highlight their beauty and femininity and not focus on their poverty.”
– See the full photo series from Tobias Clarke
Main photo credit: Gabriela Tulian
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