NGO worker in Myanmar, USA.

As we (NGOs) work with people ( vs products or services), it's important for us to document changes in people attitudes, status and way of life for current and future work. The saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" a not completely true, it's more than that. Photos can tell a story and capture emotions that cannot be done with words- and indeed our work has an emotional component that is worth showing. Who better to capture these moments than the staff who work with these people on a daily basis and watch the changes as they unfold?

That is why we asked Vero to teach photojournalism to our staff- so they could have the ability to capture in a single moment the change that they have seen over days, months and years.

English teacher, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I always liked to admire and explore photography. I would sit for hours watching someone’s photos, stories I imagined happening behind every photo and I wrote stories inspired by all kinds of photos. When I saw an opportunity to combine my two secret passions, photography and writing, I grabbed it.  

Translator, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I’ve taken photos for many years but without giving much thought to technique or composition, so I thought that it would be good to learn things that I thought I should learn and something completely new to me. I also thought that it would be nice to be a part of the community of people trying to learn something. 

Film school student in Sarajevo, France.

 I join the course because I was looking to practise photography with someone who can help me to see and analyse the image I was producing. That what I learnt during the course.

Intern, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I wanted to improve my skills as a photographer (I was terrible in taking photos) and the other more important reason was our teacher Vero. Vero is a great teacher, her enthusiasm about photographyis contagious. She had a way to show us and transfer her knowledge in easy going manner. Our classes were two, three hours long long and they always passed in the blink of the eye.

Journalist, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

All the photos that I submit are taken after the course. Sarajevo’s winter was very difficult, because of very thick fog and pollution. This is how city looked from Čavljak, small hill just above Sarajevo. I try to present contrast between fog and sunny and pleasant environment above. 

I joined the course during exploring myself as a photographer, And I thought that it would be great thing to practice my skills. Photojournalism seems to me like most honest and deepest kind of  photography, because you can tell story without using words, only images in a very powerfull way. 

Youth Worker, Scotland.

I wanted to take the opportunity to learn from someone a lot more experienced than me, who clearly had talent and the professional opportunity to photograph in many different countries and situations.  

Although I wasn't able to attend the course in its entirety, the thing that really struck me was the idea of "seeing the picture before taking it" - not to take loads of pictures, but to take the right photo, using the right techniques/lighting.

Master Student, Netherlands.

Photojournalism crossed my path on the right time in my life. I was conducting research for my bachelor thesis social sciences. Photography is a nice way to supplement my data.

In general i love people and i love telling stories. My love for people is reflected in my carreer choices and in photojournalism. Writing is a verry personal endouvor for me and i find it hard to let people read my text. With photojournalism i feel free to express myself and show the story i want to tell.