I have established connections with migration agencies and networks through previous modules. I have stayed connected with them through social media platforms, specifically LinkedIn and Twitter. These platforms seems to be more inline with their clientele and networks. I have formulated an email to each of the networks I am interested in working with:
Hello,
I am a local photographer and professor in the Photography Program at Algonquin College. Louisa Taylor recommended that I contact you regarding a project I am working on for my MA.
Currently, I am completing my MA in Visual Communication and working on a photo and interview series with migrants and refugees, and I am looking for subjects for my final series.
The focus of my work has always been to tell people’s stories. For this series, I am photographing portraits and recording audio interviews of migrants and refugees. The images are photographed using a large-format camera and will be printed in a large scale in order to confront the viewer, to have people stop and listen to their stories and hopefully realize our shared humanity.
The final work will be submitted in an ebook form for my final MA project and I hope to have a showing of the work in Ottawa. This is a self-funded not for profit venture to raise awareness and support. I am not asking for funding just introductions to people within your network that might want to share their migration story. I would be happy to provide your organization with the final project to use as you see fit.
Here are some of my recent projects:
Emerging From Darkness: vimeo.com/310195821
The Thread: vimeo.com/310192953
My other recent and ongoing projects are on my website: jasonmachinski.com
I have contacted, these migration networks and organizations:
Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization
Development and Peace Caritas Canada
World Skills Employment Centre
Ottawa Local Immigration Partnership
After making the initial connection I hope ask them to send out an email to their network if possible, the email is below:
Migration Narratives
Is a culminating project for my MA studies, its goal is to put a face and a voice to migration through photographic portraits, audio interviews, and research on the benefits of migration. I believe that listening to other’s stories, and sharing your own, can lead to mutual understanding, friendship, and peace.
This portrait series is photographed on film using an antique 8x10 view camera. Participants will be photographed and then a short audio interview will be conducted. The interview is about their migration story. Participants will be provided with prints and digital files. All images and audio will be published in an ebook, and a showing of the work will hopefully take place at a local gallery early next year.
email: talk@jasonmachinski.com
phone: 613-558-5789
web: jasonmachinski.com
The day after I sent the email I was contacted by the chair of Development and Peace and was put into contact with one of their volunteers who has a South Sudanese friend and activist who would like to share his story, his name is Deng. I was also contacted by the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization and have a meeting setup with their Director for August 7.
I plan to do a follow up email, direct message, or call within a week if I do not get any response from the other organizations.