Michael Muller in Kenya.
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Michael Muller traveled last month with a United Nations Foundation delegation visiting the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya. The aim of the trip was to collect and document the stories of Kenyans benefiting from Nothing But Nets, a global grassroots campaign to distribute life-saving bed nets to refugees who are at risk for contracting malaria.
“These people need a voice to tell their stories,” says Michael. “They feel forgotten and abandoned. Taking their photos lets them tell the world: ‘I am here. I exist. I am a human being.’ And watching the smiles appear on the children’s faces as they view their photos, even if the smile lasts only a few brief moments, lets me know we’re alive.”
The delegation was led by Elizabeth Gore, executive director of global partnerships for the United Nations Foundation. “…I am in Kakuma trying to help mothers who lose babies almost every day to malaria—a preventable disease carried at night by killer mosquitoes. I have traveled on dozens of trips like this, accompanying celebrities, donors, and the media to witness the life-saving work of the United Nations Foundation,” she wrote in a column for The Huffington Post. “In my work I have watched infants die from malaria in their mothers’ embrace. I always felt compassion and sadness for these families. I also felt a sense of urgency, wanting to return to the United States to share their stories in support for our Nothing But Nets campaign to send life-saving bed nets.”
Actress Serinda Swan (Breakout Kings, Tron), who is an ambassador for the international nonprofit foundation Friends to Mankind, was also part of the delegation. She blogged about her experiences in Kakuma for the Buzzkill Foundation, which has partnered with Nothing But Nets, here: “A Day in Kukuma.”
Here’s a look at some of Michael’s many photos from the trip. They’re inspiring images, and the good news is that it’s convenient and inexpensive to contribute to the cause for which he volunteered his time: A donation of just $10 is enough to send a bed net to Kakuma. Go to NothingButNets.net to lend your support.
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Photos by Michael Muller. Click to view larger.
Photos by Michael Muller. Click to view larger.
Photos by Michael Muller. Click to view larger.
Photos by Michael Muller. Click to view larger.
Photos by Michael Muller. Click to view larger.
Photos by Michael Muller. Click to view larger.
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Related: “Culture shock: Kakuma to Cannes—UN Foundation, UNF’s Nothing But Nets bring campaign to Cannes,” Variety
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Fast Company interviews Nadav Kander about “How to Create an Unforgettable Portrait”
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Fast Company‘s Co.CREATE blog this week posted an interview with Nadav Kander about “How to Create an Unforgettable Portrait.” Staff writer Jeff Berkowitz asked Nadav about his thoughts on props and background, how he approaches working with vastly different subjects, translating the skills of portraiture to directing, and his “Bad Guys” portfolio and short films for the June issue of GQ.
“[For the GQ shoot], the idea was that these people are the villains of Hollywood,” Nadav tells Berkowitz. “The magazine wanted them to not be banal, Hollywood, over-lit pictures. I didn’t spend very long with the actors and one of the reasons is that I always light before the person arrives. I always have some sort of idea of how I think they will look interesting, according to who they are or their face structure. Then, even before they get dressed, I like to do one or two quick pictures to see if I’m on the right track. After that I get the lighting to really feel right and look great on them. Generally, I don’t spend that long. It could be 10 or 15 minutes with a person. Sometimes longer, but not much longer: 20 minutes, half an hour. Once a person settles down and becomes comfortable, it’s almost too comfortable. So the first 10 minutes are incredibly important, which is why I try to get my lighting right from the go.”
Read the full interview here.
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