In preparation for TEDxMaui 2012 (coming up in just over 3 weeks from today!), we caught up with humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine, a woman we are honored to bring to speak at our upcoming event. She is best known for using her powerful photography to raise awareness of the beauty and pain across the globe, and recently spent a year traveling the world—from Ghana to India to Nepal—photographing slaves, recording their stories.
Get better acquainted with her in our Q&A below.
1. What drives you to do the work you do?
That through my photographs I have an impact on the world to raise awareness and ignite change.
2. Share one personal experience or relevant anecdote that informs your TEDx talk?
I had the opportunity to meet a member of an organization called Free the Slaves. She started telling me about slavery and began learning. So struck I was from the new and heartbreaking knowledge that a fire lit in my belly. I flew down to one of FTS’s offices in LA and told them I wanted to help. Thus began my journey and documentation on the frontlines of modern day slavery.
3. How are you or your topic connected to Maui or Hawaii?
Though slavery is illegal everywhere it exists almost everywhere.
4. What are some of your favorite statistics or data points?
Did you know that there are 27 million slaves in the world today?
5. What do the TED Talks mean to you?
TED talks are like great conversations you would never want to miss, they inspire a new way of thinking about a topic or maybe even provide a new topic to think about. And to even get better, TED talks are like viruses that keep spreading, further exciting topics.
To continue learning about Lisa Kristine, and to be moved by her photography, visit her website and read more in this Huffington Post article.
Did you know? Less than half of our TEDxMaui tickets are still available! To ensure your participation in this “Cirque du Soleil for the Psyche”, please don’t hesitate. We want you there!