As part of our Portrait for Pixels campaign, we are turning the lens, so to speak, on the photographers who have generously accepted our invitation to take part in this innovative fundraising campaign. In today’s interview, we speak with Jacqueline Truong of Los Angeles, California, US. 

Question 1: Tell us about yourself – how and why did you become a photographer?

I actually never saw myself as an artist growing up, but since I had to take a Fine Art requirement in high school, I selected photography and fell in love that year with it. Since then I have been actively photographing when I am not teaching. I love how I am able to capture fleeting moments in time. It’s amazing how differently everyone DOES SEE the world, and this is just my way of viewing it.

Question 2: Why did you decide to participate in “Portraits for Pixels” and what are you going to do for the campaign?

I actually worked on a Pixel Project earlier this year and am excited in seeing this “Portraits for Pixels”campaign come to life. I haven’t really thought it completely through, but most likely a substantial percentage will be donated to the campaign.

Question 3: Have you been involved in other campaigns to end violence against women? If so, tell us about it and why you decided to get involved. If not, why you have decided to get involved now?

When I was in college I was involved in a lot of campaigns. I really wanted to be a part of causes I felt strongly for. I came across The Pixel Project through a mutual friend and have admired the direction that this organization wants to go. It’s important to make a stand for something you believe in. Violence just needs to stop. It doesn’t help anyone, and just makes the world and the people and animals who live on it suffer from the aftermath. I have personal experience from friends, family, and myself what this form of violence can do.

Question 4: Violence against women is a sensitive, even taboo, issue in many cultures that is frequently shrouded by silence and denial. How do you think photographers and photography can help “break the silence”?

Photography is constantly seen everywhere we go. In movies, magazines, newspapers, books, ad campaigns. It’s such a versatile art form that has launched itself internationally for decades now.

What’s beautiful about documentary photography is that even as an art form, it can’t hide the truth and what you see is truly what you get. It’s a tough reality that no one wants to share, but in its own right, with the right photographer the images can send a strong message out to everyone that this is NOT some fabricated story and that the impact it creates could help bring the end to violence against women that much closer.

Question 5: What do you think would be the best way of encouraging more photographers to get on board the cause to end violence against women?

Photographers are inherently philanthropists. They love using their art form to help the greater good. They also like to collaborate with each other. Perhaps creating a thematic online show/gallery show that allows photographers to donate their image for the cause, and people can buy their edition image for a low cost price.

Question 6: Besides participating in campaigns such as “Portraits for Pixels”, how else do you think photographers can help stop violence against women?

Fine Art Photographers can actively offer specific images that would have a percentage of the proceeds go to their cause or a Portrait Photographer would offer a package that is exclusively for the cause. Anyone with their own website, can add a link/tab to the cause’s website. Even sporting an icon that represents the cause in their studio showing there are a proud sponsor or participant would be positive association with the organization.