In the 4 months I spent photo documenting the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York I found myself on a new path. I have learned the importance of social awareness, the importance of getting the word out to inform the public, to get the story and the truth out that our mainstream, corporate news doesn't. With all the important stories that need to be told it seems out western news agencies want to continue to feed the public with the concerns of the Kardashians or what the cast from Jersey Shore are doing.
For the past 12 years I have been photographing actors and musicians and I have enjoyed it very much, but I want to apply the skills and abilities I have gained from the life I've had and do what I can to make a difference in this world. There are independent Photojournalists who I admire that go into the war regions or into regions where there are many human rights atrocities happening that we in the western world are not told about or we are not told the truth about. These photographers are doing what they can to raise awareness, to tell the truth with the hope that maybe just one more photo and story will push Humankind to a point where we say enough is enough and do everything possible to make the horrors stop. The words of one of my favorite war photographers, James Nachtwey says it all: "I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated."
My goal is to take up the cause along with these amazing photographers who continually put their lives on the line in order to help others and raise awareness. They offer themselves up as a vessel for truth, in service to others rather than service to self. It was images of the horrors of Vietnam that pushed people into the streets in protest against the war and helped to put a stop to it. It’s important that this kind of work continues and it seems more crucial than ever these days as our governments and the Military Industrial Complex keep leading us down a road to destruction. I will be looking for assignments from news organizations, but in order to get those assignments I have to prove myself in the war regions. Until then I will have to go it alone and fund everything myself.
This is where I can truly make my contribution to Humankind, but I need your help. My equipment has been fine for the type of photography I have been doing, but it won't hold up in a war zone. I need to equip myself better for my own safety and so that my equipment isn't breaking down in those crucial moments.
I am trying to raise money before May 3rd 2012 via donations to buy the following:
• ArmorCorr™ Concealable Stab/Bullet proof Vest - $599.oo
http://www.bulletproofbodyarmorhq.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=135&zenid=c78ee4fba93ae001b3c3c5bd78f43fa4
• Evolution 5000 Military Gas Mask Kit - $229.50
http://approvedgasmasks.com/evolution-5000.htm
• Canon EOS-1DS Mark II, 16.7 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera (Camera Body) - This camera has a magnesium alloy body, improved dust-proofing and waterproofing for shooting in even the most inclement conditions. - $2099.oo Used
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Canon+EOS-1DS+Mark+II%2C+16.7+Megapixel%2C+SLR%2C+Digital+Camera+%28Camera+Body%29&InitialSearch=OS&N=0&usedSearch=1
• Canon Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM - $1369.oo
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/264304-USA/Canon_8014A002_Zoom_Wide_Angle_Telephoto_EF.html
• Sanho 500GB HyperDrive COLORSPACE UDMA Multimedia Storage / Player - $499.95
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/594352-REG/Sanho_SHDCSUDMA500_HyperDrive_COLORSPACE_UDMA.html
• Travel $ - $5000 (To cover travel expenses throughout the middle east)
THANK YOU for supporting independent media
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