Documentary Storytellers

Maren Krings is a German freelance photojournalist and climate impact storyteller whose work seeks solutions to socio-ecological impacts to help mitigate the current climate crisis. We talk about Maren’s journey, of course, but also the importance of solutions-focused stories, and how, alone, these are not enough - diversity is critical to maximise engagement with an issue. We talk about challenges around mental health, the benefits of seeking support from others to form a strong team, and the impact this can have on you, your story, and what you create. We also explore the benefits of engaging a story doctor – a service I’d never come across before. And so much more. This interview was recorded at the end of November in 2023. But everything we speak about is as relevant now as it was then. Follow Maren Portfolio Instagram Vimeo Follow Documentary Storytellers InstagramFacebook LinkedIn Follow me, Chris King Portfolio Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Notes Paulien Bakker (Story Doctor) Ricardo Báez (Book designer)               Paula Pedrosa Hemp the climate Ester Horvath Cristina Mittermeier Aaju Peter – Twice Colonised

It’s been a long time since I produced an episode – despite having recorded a number of interviews. The reason being that I was dealing with a serious health issue that took a significant toll on me, and I’m only now starting to get to grips with it.   I’m going to produce and publish the 4 interviews I carried out, because I owe it to the people I spoke to, who were kind enough to give up their time to talk to me and whose stories and work I really want to share. After that, I’m going to change things up a little bit.   I’ll continue producing podcasts, but in a different format, and I’ll be doing a lot more writing. I’ll also be setting up a couple of initiatives to support documentary storytellers on their journey.   If you’re listening to this, and would like to be kept informed of what I produce next, then please sign up to the newsletter via Substack or become a supporter via Patreon. What really struck me about Joanne Coates was not only her work, but how in her biography and elsewhere she identifies as a working class photographer. I find that statement very powerful. It shares with the world an aspect of our identity that might otherwise go unnoticed. Declaring one’s class, provides others with some idea of our lived experience and the struggles we may have faced – both generally speaking and as a documentary storytellers. As we discuss, the history of photography and filmmaking is deeply rooted in elitism, as well as colonialism, and the patriarchy – forces that continue to heavily influence these media to this day. The only way in which we’re going to be able to decouple visual storytelling from these destructive forces – if we ever will in the advent of AI – is to acknowledge it, talk about it, and develop the tools to build a more just and humane alternative.   This is exactly the purpose of these podcasts, the articles I write to accompany them, and the platform I hope to build on these foundations. If you would like to discuss any of the point raised, then please get in touch via Instagram or email me at [email protected]   References   Don McCullin Simon Roberts Bell Hooks Chris Killip Mark Neville Anastasia Traylor-Lind Mark Fisher (author) Jeremy Deller The oil machine directed by Emma Davie Time span museum – Beatrice: Transition Under Petrocapitalism exhibition Margaret Mitchell Gareth PhillipsBaltic Centre of Contemporary Art in Gatesend

In this episode I’m speaking to Smita Sharma - a Delhi-based photojournalist and visual storyteller reporting on critical human rights, gender, social justice and environmental issues – both in India and throughout the Global South. Smita is actively engaged in public speaking, victim advocacy and international public education, and her work has been exhibited and published globally, including at the UN Headquarters in New York. She recently published her first photo book We Cry In Silence documenting cross-border trafficking of underage girls in South Asia, published by FotoEvidence. Smita’s been organising a campaign in the region aimed at educating and raising awareness amongst the communities most vulnerable to human trafficking. We discuss all this and other steps Smita has done to maximise the impact her work, along with her motivation for doing what she does, her experiences with publications and organisations from the Global North, and much more. Follow Smita Portfolio: https://bit.ly/3Dn4nOY ‘We Cry In Silence’ Photobook: https://bit.ly/3XWScll TED Talk: https://bit.ly/3ryfhi2 Instagram: https://bit.ly/3T7A6wF Vimeo: https://bit.ly/3GiQjqS   Follow Documentary Storytellers Website: https://bit.ly/3Qa0k01 Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rwK9zr Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Ok2718 LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3ryJQnU   Follow me, Chris King Portfolio: https://bit.ly/3XYvj0I Instagram: https://bit.ly/3pSYvd3 Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Q0AE5R LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/44CWFMr References Shillong, India Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - The Danger of a single story Donna Ferrato – I Am Unbeatable International Center of Photography, New York Women Photograph Diversify Photo FotoEvidence

Natalie is a documentary photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is interested in inequality, youth culture, and the personal effects of political turmoil and violence, primarily in the US and Latin America.   As always we cover a wide range of topics, including the impact her work as a photographer has had on Natalie’s view of the world, our capacity as documentary storytellers and the potential for photography to create meaningful change, and the need for us to support one another and the ways in which we can do that…and of course much more. Photography Portfolio | ⁠Instagram⁠ Podcast hosted and produced by ⁠⁠Chris King⁠ This episode is brought to you by Open Eye Media, which is me. For over 15 years, alongside my photography and filmmaking, I’ve been building websites professionally as a freelancer. So, if you’d like to discuss anything related to your website needs – be it a rebuild, a new build, SEO, writing or editing content, or even help with image and video editing, everything and anything related to your online presence, then email me at [email protected]. Notes   Daniella Zalcman Anastasia Taylor-Lind Stephanie Mei-Ling Photoville Steve Sweatpants Street Dreams Katie Orlinsky

This week I’m speaking to documentary filmmaker Gemma Atkinson, who is based between London and Barcelona, and co-founded the production company Fat Rat Films 15 years ago where she is the current creative director. Gemma has a vast amount of experience within the documentary filmmaking industry, and has produced countless films and other content for NGOs and international institutions across the globe, as well as her own personal projects. Gemma and I discuss her motivations for creating a production company over freelancing, how her approach to documentary storytelling and filmmaking has changed over the years, and continues to change, how to be an effective storyteller, and much more. Portfolio | Instagram | Vimeo Podcast hosted and produced by ⁠Chris King Notes Touching the void Catfish Act of Terror (animation by Gemma) Una Marzorati Equidem Comic Relief The Elders Girls Not Brides Publish What You Pay 3 Identical Strangers Tim Wardel Maite Alberdi Mole Agent Dick Johnson is Dead Simon Chin The Imposter Man on Wire

This week I’m speaking with Mike Snyder – a documentary photographer and filmmaker based in Charlottesville in the US. In his work, Mike explores the dynamic relationship between environmental and cultural change. An environmental and climate scientist by training, Mike uses his combined knowledge of visual storytelling and conservation to create narratives that drive social impact. Mike and I discuss topics such as how best to approach human stories in a way that maximises the positive impact – through having a considered, rigorous and impact-first approach to planning, implementation, and outputs. We also chat about how Mike goes about getting funding and his approach to pitching his stories, as well as his thoughts on how we can become better storytellers, and how to best prepare for shoots - whether photography and filmmaking. There’s so much to take away from our chat – both practical, actionable advice, and ideas to reflect on in relation to impact-driven visual storytelling. Photography and Filmmaking Portfolio | Instagram Podcast hosted and produced by ⁠Chris King --- SUBJECTS & TIMECODES Inspiration for picking up a camera [2:09] What is about climate change communication that has failed to inspire meaningful action and behaviour change [6:05] The multi-dimensional approach to climate change communication that includes both solutions and impacts [10:41] How to get stories in front of policymakers and inspire them to take action [12:07] How to explore a human story and having true impact on the issue being documented [15:58] An example of applying an impact-first approach to documentary storytelling that engages people at a local level – not just national and international [20:52] Adding layers of impact – particularly at a local level - when you’ve been commissioned by a magazine [23:52] What has been the inspiration for developing a comprehensive, impact-first approach to documentary storytelling [26:04] Organisations receptive and support of an impact-first approach [29:20] Approach to getting funding for impact-first storytelling [30:49] Approach to pitching new projects [33:32] How to become better documentary storytellers [35:30] How to start a start a new project and get the images or footage you want [39:47] Motivation for long-term project on drag queens in home town [43:52] How to address the power imbalance that exists when exploring a human story [47:17] How do we get more people to consider the role we as documentary storytellers play in maintaining or challenging a prevailing narrative [50:48] The need to compromise but also turning down commissions that aren’t a good fit for whatever reason [57:35] Mistakes that have been valuable[1:01:37] What could have been of real benefit if learnt sooner [1:02:55] Experiences exploring something academic but with a visual dimension [1:05:40] The choice to become a documentary storyteller instead of committing to being an environmental scientist being the right choice in terms of impact [1:07:33] Skills being developed and mastered [1:10:28] Active documentary storytellers who are source of inspiration [1:13:38] NOTES Bertha Climate Challenge Fellowship Bertha Foundation University of Art Bournemouth The CRUX Photography Network Columbia University Earth Institute – Climate Migration Conference Blue Earth Alliance Pixar’s Story Spine Ed Kashi Social Documentary Network

Through Documentary Storytellers I want to help promote a more considered form of documentary storytelling, enhance the positive impact our work has on the issues we document, and to help in some way with decolonising photography and filmmaking, and visual communication in general. Because of the pervasive influence and insidious nature of forces such as patriarchal and colonial mindsets, which, all too often, go unnoticed or unacknowledged, someone from the Global North, for example, going to the Global South with good intentions to explore an issue is not sufficient to ensure the positive impact they wish to have is actually realised. We need to become conscious of our own role as photographers and filmmakers in maintaining certain power dynamics and prevailing narratives through the way we work and represent the people and communities we document, and impact this has. As documentary storytellers are one of the groups at the frontline of shaping culture, we can either contribute to maintaining the status quo, or we can challenge it and contribute to its disruption and the creation of a more just, egalitarian, and compassionate world. The only way we are going to help change our cultures for the better, is if we become mindful of our own role within them - to become aware of the biases and prejudices we hold, and work on addressing or managing them – to ensure that when documenting communities of which we are not a part, we act in a way that maximises the potential for our work to have the positive outcome we intended, and not inadvertently contribute to maintaining a narrative that lies at the root of the issue we are documenting. So, to start this process, in this episode I speak to Savannah Dodd – a photographer and anthropologist originally from the USA, but now living in Northern Ireland – just down the road from my family as it happens. In 2017, Savannah founded the Photography Ethics Centre an organisation dedicated to promoting ethical literacy across the photography industry through workshops, events, online courses, and free multimedia content. Photography Portfolio | Instagram Photography Ethic Centre | Instagram Notes Photography Ethics Centre podcast Statement of Ethics Campaign Susie Linfield General Treegan Melanie King Hannah Fletcher Climate Visuals Smita Sharma Pietro Masturzo Anthony Luvera Tamara Abdul Hadi Sustainable Darkroom

This episode and features Laurel Chor – a documentary photographer, filmmaker, and journalist who is exploring a range of different topics – from manta ray conservation to the war in the Ukraine, using a variety of media. We explore the biases we as individuals have that influence how we explore the stories we document through documentary photography and filmmaking, but also the value of our own unique experiences and perspective. We talk about the challenges Laurel has experienced being a woman of colour, the need for self-care to ensure we’re able to continue to document the issues we care about and push for the change we want to see, and much more. Photography and Filmmaking Portfolio | Instagram Podcast hosted and produced by Chris King References Arman Dzidzovic Andrei Kalashnikov What it’s like being a stripper in Florida during Covid Coconuts Vice on HBO MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management National Geographic Grant Julia Kochetova Hannah Reyes Morales Natalie Keyssar Hind Hassan

This week I’m speaking with documentary photographer Stuart Freedman. We discuss power dynamics within photography, the need to lead with empathy and curiosity when exploring human stories, the benefits of getting support from others – be it a mentor or an photography agency, the need to be relentless in our pursuit to get the important stories we document in front of audiences…and so much more…I really enjoyed our chat, and there’s so much to learn from the wealth of experience Stuart so generously shares. Photography Portfolio | Instagram Books mentioned: ⁠The Englishman and the eel⁠ | ⁠The Palaces of Memory⁠ Podcast hosted and produced by Chris King References Don McCullinPicture PostCraig EastonThatcher’s Children by Craig EastonOpen Eye GalleryJack ShenkerMark FisherTerence DonavanSebastião SalgadoJames NachtweyWilliam Albert AllardMark PowerNetwork PhotographersPanos PicturesMagnumIan BerryTom StoddartSalvador (film)Ryszard Kapuściński Martha GellhornGideon MendelMike AbrahamsMike GoldwaterHomer SykesFormat (photo agency)Adrian EvansVIINoni StaceyNikos EconomopoulosMartin ParrJosef KoudelkaAntonio Gramsci Robert CapaJohn LydonJean-François LeroyDewi LewisStewart Smith (book designer)Sony World Photography AwardsWorld Press Photo

This week I’m speaking to Aubrie Canfield a media producer from the United States, and founder of a company called Actuality Abroad. Actuality Abroad is a social enterprise that uses documentary storytelling as a means to provide more meaningful travel experiences. As you will hear, Aubrie has a wealth of knowledge and experience in crafting stories visually through documentary filmmaking, and together we discuss the art and practice of documentary storytelling – from the hero’s journey to effective production workflow, along with the ethics of telling other people’s stories, and much more. There’s lots to take away from our chat in terms of how we can approach documentary film production in a more considered and effective manner. As I interview more people we’ll be learning more and more about different approaches to documentary film production. But, I’d be interested to hear your approach – what lessons have you learnt, and what does your current workflow look like – from research to post-production, and even any tips you have on submitting to film festivals. Get in touch via [email protected] and I’ll start sharing people’s top lessons and tips via social media. I would really like to build a community around this podcast so we can help one another become better storytellers, and maximise our impact. I don’t know how I’m going to do that exactly, but I hope to find a way of achieving this soon. In the meantime, please share this podcast with everyone and anyone you know who is interested in documentary filmmaking, and if you have any comments or feedback please email me at [email protected] Notes Actuality Abroad How to change the world – by David Bornestein Ashoka Danielle Khan Da Silva – Photographers without borders Joseph Campbell and the Hero’s Journey This American Life Ari Shapiro Cat Jaffee – House of Pod - Guardians of the river podcast National Geographic Storyteller Grant The Global Oneness Project Brandon Stanton – Humans of New York --- Podcast produced by Chris King