I've always wanted to use my photography to help people, so I was thrilled when I came up with a framework that helps to enact positive social change while empowering rather than exploiting participants. In this framework, I photograph people impacted by an issue in a way that is meaningful to them (and me), and use print sales, gallery openings, etc. to help raise money and awareness to combat the issue.

For my first test of this framework, I am photographing people who have been severely emotionally abused in visual representations of the way the abuse made the participants feel. I am also recording the participants describing the abuse, how it has impacted them, and how they managed to escape (if indeed they have). I have partnered with the largest provider of domestic violence support services in Boston to use money raised through the gallery opening on 2/3/17 to provide real assistance to victims of emotional abuse, as well as to provide informational material at the gallery opening to help current victims to become aware of the resources available to them.

This project has already had a profound impact on the lives of participants and people who have simply heard about the series, and I'm extremely excited by the potential to help many more people when the project officially goes live!