The Profiles of Hope Project
Through a wide variety of mobile applications, we’ve developed a unique visual system and strategy that can be applied across the spectrum of available applications.
Strategy
Give sexual assault survivors hope by showing them their own beauty and letting them tell their story.
- Four days of photo and video centered around the participants. Including hair, makeup, and wardrobe options for participants. Snacks, beverages, and meals were provided.
- Take as much time as necessary to foster open communication, active participation, and hope for the future.
- Provide participants with an unforgettable experience and offer them take-home reminders, including photos, jewelry, recordings, and more.
Design
Profiles of Hope is about people, assault, and survival. As enlightening as it was, tears and anger often accompanied these stories. To overcome these challenges, our design included:
- An open and judgment-free environment.
- Honest and open communication, where participants could share their stories with other women who had similar experiences.
- A safe physical environment. We shot the photos and video in my 10,000-square-foot photo studio, which allowed participants to work together and independently as needed.
Client
The Profiles of Hope project came to me in 2016 when I met Madeline Horn through Craigslist.org. She was working on a senior project and looking for a photographer to help create some pictures for her senior thesis project on sexual assault on college campuses. She had discovered that the majority of photos of rape survivors depicted depressed, victimized and silenced women that did not represent her at all.
I would not be where I am today without having suffered sexual violence. It’s helped me overcome my fears, understand myself, and work through my insecurities. It’s made me a strong woman, a woman who has transformed her trauma into her life’s work. – Madeline Horn
She wanted to share her story and give survivors of sexual assault hope. That’s where I came in. The original request was simple: “Can you take some photos for us?” Without hesitation, I told her we could do that and then some. Working with a couple of friends of mine (special thanks to Ella Reid and Danielle Santa Maria), we created a multi-day event that included catered snacks and meals, hair and makeup services, and personal interviews and photo opportunities, allowing everyone to share. Women who had every reason to be angry about their stories were smiling and laughing, tears streaming down their faces. It was a very special event. This is some of what we accomplished to tell these stories and share these Profiles of Hope.
