Peacemaker Interview
- What does visual peacemaking mean to you?
A visual peacemaker uses their talents to show the beauty and dignity of the communities they are photographing.
Through intimate powerful imagery they create a relationship between the audience and the photographic subjects as a means to inspire others to experience cultures to enrich their own lives, and as a means to create a global community.
I believe that great change is made by one person who has been emotionally touch by a personal experience and people act with passion when they are emotionally and physically involved.
Images help shape the way we see the world and play and important role in disseminating how cultures and are coping with the changes in our developing world. - What motivates you to be a peacemaker?
My camera has lead me to experience the world in a way that I may never have experienced, even with my adventurous spirit. The more I discover and interact with cultures and wildlife, the more driven I am to explore, experience, and share the beauty I capture.
- What do you like to photograph best?
Cultures and Wildlife
- What technical aspect of photography do you find most challenging?
THe speed in which technology and software advances. Just when I think I understand it, they change it, add something, or go completely in a different direction. It keeps it exciting, but some times I just want to concentrate on being a visual story teller
- Is there a particular group you feel is misunderstood or stereotyped that you’d like to document common humanity amongst?
All groups and religions, some more than others, are stereotyped. But, we all laugh, cry, feel, have dreams, hopes and fears.We are similar, except by our geography and circumstances. I hope to inspire others to travel and interact with all cultures to understand our similarities and to protect our differences. This is why I create galleries by a theme rather than by group or religion.
My Biography
Piper Mackay is a world, wildlife and humanitarian photographer, who believes compelling visual images help to protect what is right in the world
Her work takes her to very remote locations, living cross culturally in the villages and environments that she is documenting.
She believes compelling work comes when you invest time, living the stories you are trying to tell. It is important to interact and gain the trust of those whose stories you are telling, especially when sensitive and complicated.
The world has enough images of poverty, pain and disaster, much more needful is imagery that reveals the beauty and dignity of communities that are, except by their geography and circumstances, very similar to our own.
Her work has been displayed at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, Museum of History and industry, and at The Art Wolfe gallery. Her work has been featured in Nature and travel publications through representation of several photo agencies. She is an independent photographer and available for assignment work.
Her prior career in the fashion industry, where she was deeply involved with combining color and texture, has greatly enhanced her approach to the unique look and feel of each culture and photographic subject. This also gave her a strong background in business and marketing.
For more information please visit;
http://www.pipermackayphotography.com
My Recent Activity
- I added: Color of Culture
to Galleries on August 23, 2010 - I added: Environment Portrait
to Galleries on August 23, 2010 - I added: Global Faces
to Galleries on August 23, 2010 - I added: Global Children
to Galleries on August 23, 2010 - I added: Wild On Earth
to Galleries on August 23, 2010
My Availability
My current assignment has me based mostly in Kenya until March of 2011. I will be available for assignments from April 2011-Sept 2011. I always try to be flexible so if you have a short assignment in or near Kenya during my stay there please contact me to discuss your project. piperc55@mac.com
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