Adventurous Storyteller | Humanitarian | Photojournalist
Award winning & published photographer, Karin Schermbrucker works with organisations such as UNICEF, UN Women, Mothers2Mothers, and ActionAid; visually capturing the stories of vulnerable women at the frontlines of humanitarian disasters across Africa & the Middle East.
In 2007, Karin and her husband launched Slingshot Media; powerfully using visual media to begin a dialogue around the vulnerable & oppressed who suffer injustices in some of the most difficult & dangerous places around the world.
In 2009, she set up Photography for Change as a platform that uses photography to help children in challenging circumstances to realize once again who they are & what they are capable of. “Giving a child a camera, is like giving an explorer a compass, who knows what lands they will discover!”
Her images capture the emotion of the people she connects with - visual poetry that never runs from the fight. She believes that photos have the power to change people’s perspectives, to open their eyes, to inspire hope & ultimately to move individuals & even nation, towards change.
“uMama Onesibindi! We are women, mothers, daughters, activists, survivors and when we choose to stand, God provides us strength to make decisions in faith and not fear … in all of us is the potential to rise up and overcome, and to help others where we once stood. So, let us courageously sow seeds and watch as a beautiful forest begins to grow - offering shade for many generations to come.” Karin Schermbrucker
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KARIN speaks to Strongest Story on Karin speaks on telling stories through photography. “Changing perspective changes the world, & photography helps us to see. My camera has been like a bridge & a mirror. It’s a bridge to the people I’m meeting & photographing, & a mirror that makes you look at yourself. Anyone can technically take a good photo - you can get the right lighting and settings, & be lucky with your location. But for me to take a really good photo means that you can feel it, you can smell it, it tells a story, it’s got emotion. That for me is the most important thing. Stories that matter.
Photography is not just about taking a photo, it’s about taking the time to look at the person. I love people, I love the fact that through imagery you can capture their story. There is a heart connection. Photography is actually about getting to know people, not just taking a photo.
I want to always see it as a gift and a privilege to tell people’s stories through my photographs. I always want to see people as I ought to - not as models or props, but as humans with stories, frailties, vulnerabilities, incredible courage and strength, who’ve allowed me to tell their stories. I never want what I do to become a job! If ever I feel I slip into that, then I immediately turn down a job or space them out to give me time to reflect and breathe. The heart of what I do needs to always be because I feel purpose and passion.”
“When the blast went off, we were rushed to the nearest bunker amidst a great deal of panic and confusion. People feared the Al-Quaida insurgents would come in to kill us all – or even worse ‐ that they would kidnap us and take us into the desert. For two hours in the bunker, I certainly felt afraid as I imagined what might be done to me. Yet I also learned something amazing in that darkest moment - I felt the incredible presence of the Lord and an overwhelming sense of peace. and found myself filled strangely with COURAGE.
Over a decade before, we had set up Slingshot Media in response to the call to the vulnerable and oppressed- creating visual media to start dialogue, to open eyes and hearts, and to take down giants in hard places. I have spent much of my time photographing women of all ages, races, cultures and backgrounds as they have stood to face their various giants. The camera has always been my bridge - crossing the divide that can exist between cultures, classes, languages or belief systems. Looking through my lens I’ve marveled at something all these women all have in common - "courage".
Each and every woman has stood up in spite of their suffering, filled with grief but not undone. They have recovered, rebuilt and they remain. This day, in that UNICEF bunker, in Mali, as I faced my own giants, it was their collective story that resounded in my heart and echoed in my soul- spurring me on - “you can do it, don’t give up, you can get out of here.”
As we were evacuated safely home, and reunited with my husband and two precious children - the thought of ever returning to Mali was non-existent. Yet as we took time, and will continue to process the experience for years to come – one thing is clear, we have not been discouraged, or dissuaded from standing up for the rights of those who suffer injustice (especially women and children). We will not fear. In fact, we have an even greater resolve to stand up for those who cannot do so for themselves. Surprisingly, just three months later, we were able to return to Mali to finish filming the stories – encouraged, restored and ultimately healed!”
A message from Strongest Story:
Clad in a wetsuit with salt in her hair, I first met Kari on the beach - almost two decades ago. I was immediately struck by the paradox of this slender surfer girl: unassumingly sweet but with an inner tenacity that shone through her dimpled smile. This was a young women who quietly pushed herself to be better & accept any challenge thrown at her.
I have gone on to watch Kari grow into a remarkable wife & mother. Her altruistic values have meant that her family always comes first, even when on her nomadic journey’s around the globe! Strongest Story stands in awe of you Karin! Your courage & deep dedication to travel the world, telling stories of survivors in their darkest hours, is truly admirable. You see humanity at its worst, but with your unique perspective on pain, you choose to see humanity at its best. Thank you for your humility & commitment to women’s rights. You never seek personal fame, but always strive to reflect something bigger than yourself. You are an unsung heroine of one of the strongest stories we have ever had the privilege to witness!