The Gift of Being Seen

In the summer of 2013, I was presented with an opportunity to travel to Rwanda for work as a nonprofit consultant.

You would never have known it from the outside, but this was also the summer my personal life shattered. My husband of ten years and father to our two small children had been cheating on me for the previous nine months and had become emotionally abusive. I had developed PTSD and was unable to function on a daily basis. Travel, especially to Eastern Africa, had always been a passion of mine and healing for my soul, so I took the chance and went.

While in Rwanda, I visited small villages, schools, and hospitals.

One thing stood out to me in a way it hadn’t before. When I brought out my digital camera, everyone around me asked to have their picture taken. Perhaps if you have travelled to under-resourced communities, you too have experienced this. It was the eagerness of the children that had the most profound impact on me.

As soon as I took a picture, they asked to look at the back of my digital camera to see themselves or their family and friends. I desperately wanted to print one out and give it to them.

I thought to myself, “You should have this picture, not me.”

That was the moment Print the Love was born.

“I see you.”

As soon as I got home that summer, I researched my idea of giving away photos to those who likely had none. I could find no one doing this kind of work on a larger scale. I couldn’t imagine not having a single picture of myself from childhood, or of my family, or my children. That was a luxury I had surely taken for granted.

I travelled back to Rwanda the following year (2014), with an instant camera in tow. I was able to give 1,000 instant photo gifts to people, most of whom never had a printed photo of themselves — a treasure that they will likely keep for the rest of their lives. The reactions of the people were incredibly profound. It was a simple, small gift, a random act of kindness, to say “I see you” to each person, child, new mother, hospital patient, or family I encountered. A gift so personal is seldom given in humanitarian efforts. 

This trip to Rwanda was also the first time that I stopped having panic attacks. I had begun to heal by doing something so seemingly simple. Intuitively, I needed to counteract the emotional abuse I endured at home that made me feel as if I didn’t matter. As I showed others that they are seen, that they matter just the way they are, I started to believe in it for myself.

Print the Love org.

Wanting to see the impact continue beyond Rwanda, I assembled a team of people who were passionate about growing an organization that would enable many more people worldwide to feel the joy and healing of giving and receiving instant photographs. In 2015, Print the Love became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a vision to visit the least-resourced countries on each continent with a message of the importance of self-worth for all.

Print the Love is about more than just giving a photo to those who have none. It is about hope, love, and encouragement. It is about uplifting others, helping them see the beauty in themselves, regardless of their circumstance. In tandem, I wanted to invite others on the journey of healing through giving and travel.

So far, we have visited 27 countries across five continents, and given away over 18,000 photos. Along the way, I’ve learned a lot about running a nonprofit and the impact this work makes. Here are just a few things:

There are far more wonderful and incredible people in the world than we often realize. The kindness, generosity, and resilience of people across cultures are truly inspiring. People just like us, billions of amazing individuals, are doing what they can to make the world a better place.

Another surprising (or maybe not so surprising) discovery is that teen girls and young women across every culture I have encountered are the most self-conscious about getting their photo taken, which makes me sad, really. We never pressure anyone to say yes to being photographed. 

But if a person says yes, the effect on the people around them is contagious. Smiles and laughter erupt. Within minutes, everyone is happy sharing the love.

We often hear people requesting to quickly do their hair or change their clothes before their photo, and the answer is always yes, take as much time as you need. The photo becomes a treasured keepsake, a reminder of their inherent worth, and a symbol of connection that transcends language and cultural barriers. It’s a gift of dignity, joy, and memory — a small yet profound way to show love and humanity and build a bridge of peace.

I have also noticed that, across cultures from Tanzania to Cambodia to Honduras, for those who can afford a photo at all, it’s often not until their 15th birthday. In many cultures, this marks a significant milestone, such as a quinceañera or other rites of passage. This timing highlights the rarity and preciousness of photographs in these communities, especially of early childhood.

There’s something truly magical about giving away instant photos. It’s more than just handing someone a piece of paper — it’s creating a moment of connection, surprise, and joy. The instant nature of the photo captures a fleeting, authentic moment and turns it into something tangible and permanent. This magic isn’t just in the photo itself, but in the connection it creates — between the giver and receiver, between the past and present, and between the individual and their own story.

During a visit to a rural village in Nepal outside of Kathmandu, a boarding school for blind students invited us to visit. The students lived at the school during the week and returned home on weekends. At first, I didn’t fully understand why they wanted us to come, knowing they couldn’t see the photos. But we graciously accepted their invitation.

When we arrived, the students explained that they wanted to give the photos to their families as a tangible gift — a way for their loved ones to remember them while they were away during the week. The thoughtfulness and love behind their gesture deeply touched my heart. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of connection and the profound impact of even the simplest acts of kindness.

The ethics of photography.

Photography can bring joy, but it can also be a tool for exploitation.

This is especially true for people in under-resourced communities. They understand social media, and they know that people who photograph them may be selling their likeness down the line.

This is one of the reasons we use instant cameras that only print one photo at a time, and we do not keep a digital copy.

This is why we are committed to promoting ethical photography practices within the nonprofit sector, ensuring dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity in visual storytelling. We recognize that capturing images without consent, misrepresenting individuals, or exploiting vulnerable populations can harm the very communities charities aim to support.

To combat this, we offer workshops and resources to educate nonprofits, volunteers, and photographers on ethical approaches to photography. These sessions emphasize the importance of obtaining informed consent, respecting cultural norms, and avoiding imagery that perpetuates stereotypes or violates privacy. By equipping organizations with these tools and knowledge, Print the Love helps create a more respectful and empowering narrative, ensuring that the images and stories shared uplift and honour the individuals and communities represented. Through this work, we strive to establish a standard for ethical photography and storytelling in the nonprofit world.

Navigating with local NGOs.

It is also important to note that we at Print the Love understand that our work is most effective when we collaborate with local partners who have a deep understanding of the communities we serve. That’s why we always partner with local NGOs, guides, and translators to ensure our approach is respectful, culturally appropriate, and impactful.

Local NGOs bring invaluable insight into the community’s needs, culture, and customs. They help us identify the most underserved areas and ensure that our work aligns with existing community efforts. By working alongside these organizations, we also avoid duplicating efforts and instead complement and strengthen the good work already being done.

Guides and translators play a crucial role in facilitating communication and connection. They are often the ones giving away the photos! They also help bridge cultural and linguistic gaps, ensuring that our interactions are meaningful and respectful. Their presence allows us to explain our work clearly, gain consent for photos, and engage with the community on a deeper level.

A new chapter.

I am now remarried and free from the abuse, but I still work every day to manage my PTSD symptoms. I am humbled to see how Print the Love continues to grow, spreading seeds of love and peace through photography around the world!

Find us at printthelove.org.