The Power of a Portrait to Capture a Story and Ignite Change
Therese Debono, a photographer, has recently won the ‘People’ category in the Julia Margaret Camera Awards for Women Photographers with her portrait of Emma, a former student and rape survivor. The portrait of Emma, who is set to marry in May, was taken with a Canon R6 and is now shortlisted for the Hellerau Portrait Award. This is the story behind the power of a portrait to ignite change.
Emma’s story behind the lens
Debono says she felt helpless when she learned of Emma’s rape and initially had no idea how her portrait could help. However, after posting the photo on social media, she realized the power of the image and the impact it had.
The portrait brought Emma’s story back into the public eye and reignited the conversation about the maltreatment of rape and domestic violence victims in the Maltese justice system. Emma and Debono came up with the hashtag “#shuttingupisnotok” to emphasize the importance of speaking up and not normalizing rape.
Emma has been using her Instagram handle, @personifikazzjoni, to document her experience and journey through the trauma of rape. Debono hopes that her portrait will spread Emma’s story around the world and that the award prize money can be used to create a documentary about Maltese rape victims.
Debono wants to bring attention to the issue of victims waiting for justice and the normalization of rape. She believes that the media must keep these stories in the public eye, and the courts must not postpone such cases.
The cause has touched Debono deeply, and she is determined to help spread Emma’s message and bring about the justice that rape and domestic violence victims deserve.
Debono’s portrait of Emma is a powerful example of how art can be used to raise awareness and bring about change. Emma’s courage to speak up and share her story is an inspiration to others and a reminder that shutting up about such important issues is not okay.
The Hellerau award win will bring further recognition to Emma’s story and help to create a documentary that highlights the maltreatment of rape and domestic violence victims in the Maltese justice system.
(C) Therese Debono
The power of a Portrait
Avantech, as a socially responsible company, wants to support Emma in her quest for justice and spread her message to the world. We recognize that Emma’s story is not just her story, but the story of countless others who have been victims of rape and domestic violence and are still waiting for justice. We believe that it is our moral obligation to help raise awareness and bring attention to this issue.
The power of a portrait lies in its ability to capture and communicate a subject’s emotions, personality, and story. In the case of Therese Debono’s portrait of Emma, the image has the power to bring attention to the issue of rape and domestic violence and raise awareness about the struggles of victims who are still waiting for justice. The portrait has the power to move people and inspire them to take action and fight for change.
Through the portrait, Emma’s story has been able to reach a wider audience and gain more traction. The image has become a symbol of Emma’s bravery and resilience in the face of adversity, and has served as a rallying cry for those who are fighting for justice. The portrait has not only captured Emma’s story, but it has also given a voice to the countless other victims who have suffered in silence.
In conclusion, the power of a portrait lies in its ability to move people and inspire change. By capturing a subject’s story and emotions, a portrait has the power to bring attention to important issues and create a call to action. The portrait of Emma serves as a powerful example of this, and it is a testament to the power of photography to bring about change and make a positive impact on society.
