We at Taking Focus, Inc. are excited to announce the selection for our 2015 Fiscal Sponsorship Program.

Our decision came down to not one, but two exemplary projects that follow with our mission.  After speaking with them both, we were very impressed with their passion and their drive. These are two photographers using their art in a creative manner to drive change for the greater good of society in two very different ways.

For Taking Focus, we are thrilled to be able to showcase two projects that exemplify the diversity that we can support as a 501(c)3 organization.

We are looking forward to working with these two photographers and their photographic projects to bring forward awareness and change. We believe that these two projects will become even more impactful with the support of our Fiscal Sponsorship Program and more importantly, the support from donors to see the full realization of their projects.

Without further delay, these are two the applicants we are pleased to present:

 

Jonathan De Camps - Ghosts IN America

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Ghosts in America is an ongoing project capturing the societal dissonance of ordinary working people in the United States who live among us as undocumented immigrants. They are mothers, fathers and students, small business owners, teachers and activists -- each working towards a better life for themselves and their families.

Officially, undocumented immigrants don't exist. Ghosts in America tells the stories of their lives amidst the struggles of uncertain immigration status. Subjects’ faces are painted with cultural symbols from the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tradition, which represent death and rebirth. Each subject is transformed into a character in their own world and is photographed in their home environment, where they nurture their own dreams and goals.

BIOGRAPHY:

Jonathan De Camps was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Dominican parents in November 1983. He was raised in the Dominican Republic and brought up with the rich culture and beautiful scenery of the Caribbean.

A lifelong interest in narrative imagery in films, paintings and photography led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Advertisement in 2008. In 2009, he moved to South Florida to broaden his horizons in the visual arts. In 2013, he earned an MFA in Visual Arts from the Miami International University of Art and Design.

 

AND

 

Teresa Meier - Photosynthesis

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Photosynthesis is a therapeutic photography group for underprivileged and at-risk teens, run by prevention specialist Laura Stanley and photographer Teresa Meier. The course takes place at Newspace Center for Photography and is designed to provide the opportunity for self-exploration and self-expression through photography and the opportunity to engage in a project designed to enhance community well-being.

Participants are given the opportunity to learn from local artists during scheduled guest lectures and are granted access to the facilities at Newspace Center for Photography, where the course concludes with a one- month exhibition of the students’ best work.

BIOGRAPHY:

Teresa Meier is a fine art photographer based in Oregon.

Currently, Teresa is finishing an MFA in photography from the Academy of Art University. Teresa volunteers her time teaching photography to at-risk and underprivileged youth in the Portland community and firmly believes that photography changes lives.