@photoshelter #pswebinar

MEET AMI VITALE & ELIZABETH DALZIEL

Ami

ElizabethFreelance photojournalist based in London Has photographed news, portrait and documentary reports in Latin America, Europe, The Middle East, South and Central Asia and the Far East. Including the coverage of conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. Awarded the John S. Knight Fellowship, the Overseas Press Club of America award, Human Rights Photography award, awards from the NPPA and POY contest, and more

Worked in over 85 countries as freelance photographer Contract photographer with National Geographic and Nikon Ambassador Published in National Geographic, Geo, Newsweek, Time, Smithsonian Has won multiple awards from World Press Photo, NPPA, the Lowell Thomas Award for Travel Journalism, Lucie Awards, POYi, among others

Photo by Ami Vitale

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Photo by Ami Vitale

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Photo by Ami Vitale

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Photo by Elizabeth Dalziel 6

Photo by Elizabeth Dalziel

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Photo by Elizabeth Dalziel 8

ATTACKS ON THE PRESS

Photographer interning for a lifestyle magazine in India was raped by five men while photographing an old textile mill (August 2013): News reports said the assailants approached the photographer and told her to get permission from the mill's supervisor to take photographs. The men then tied up and beat an unidentified individual who had accompanied the journalist on her assignment. The assailants took turns raping the photographer in a secluded part of the mill.

Gunman fatally shot a freelance photographer in the Philippines (August 2013): Sy, a freelance photographer, regularly contributed to the local Sapol News Bulletin newspaper. John Paul Jubelag, publisher of the paper, said Sy's murder could have been related to his contribution to a photo report on local drug trafficking earlier this year. Multiple photographers attacked in South Africa over two week span (June 2013): Mofokeng, working with a reporter, was outside in a public place, covering a public issue. All seemed fine at first, until Mofokeng photographed security personnel chasing people. A guard turned his attention to Mofokeng, striking him and threatening to break his camera

ASSESSING RISK
Research your destination and prepare a security assessment
Identify contact people and how to communicate with them: local NGOs, churches, charities Make contact with journalists and people who know the region: lightstalkers.org, Vulture Club on Facebook Find a known or recommended driver/and or fixer Understand the local laws and customs; dress appropriately Understand hazards and potential conflicts Research common crime incidents Health risk

BASIC PREPAREDNESS
Proper accreditation and permission Medical care/vaccinations Insurance Emergency bag and first aid kit Trustworthy guide (local) Have numbers and locations of local hospitals and police Communicate regularly with someone outside Send itinerary of your plans to trusted contact Know your exit strategy

WHAT TO DO IF
Someone is following you

Someone asks to see your identification

Someone gropes or touches your without consent

Someone rips you off

You or someone you know gets seriously injured You are taken into custody

EXAMPLE SITUATIONS
Taxi driver has a friend in car: Demand they leave Hotel management asks for passport at night: Say you will bring it down in the morning and do not open the door Groped while shooting an assignment: Act assertively and look for a better location Travelling alone: Look for allies

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Back up your data: research notes, contact info, itinerary, image files Use a prepaid mobile phone, not attached to your name Be aware of what information you give out when in public space Dont disclose any information that is not critical (even to people you trust) Behave very modestly and never drink, smoke or disclose that you even do this at home Never have an intimate relationship with anyone when you are working

THE COST OF STAYING SAFE

You have to invest in your safety - no photo is worth risking your life As freelancer you may feel hiring a guide or fixer is too expensive, but not hiring someone to look out for you can be more expensive in the long run Most important things are: Follow your intuition Remain confident and in control Do your research Have allies in the field Be aware of what you say, even to people you think are harmless Do not reveal any uncessary personal information Know what to do when things start going wrong

NEXT WEBINAR: Tuesday, Sept. 17th at 4pm ET

http://bit.ly/weddingphotogcheck
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