Lensational is a women-empowering social enterprise that is three fold: it provides marginalized women with a chance to develop a skill, connects them locally and across the world and gives them a way to tell their stories through photography. All that and the program is impressively eco-friendly, using recycled and reused old point-and-shoot cameras that are often replaced with smartphones and DSLRs.
The program was started by Bonnie Chiu on International Women's Day in 2013 using a simple Facebook page. Shortly after, an NGO in Hong Kong sponsored its first project which provided a photography workshop for foreign domestic workers. The program was extended to China, Bangladesh and Pakistan -- locations all selected based on large gender inequality gaps.
The women-empowering program uses therapeutic photography to help these people gain personal skills, confidence and break through social isolation.
Women-Empowering Photography
Lensational Offers Workshops to Struggling Women in Developing States
Trend Themes
1. Therapeutic Photography - Exploring the use of photography for therapeutic purposes, including personal growth, healing, and self-expression
2. Eco-friendly Photography - Adopting eco-friendly practices in photography production, such as using recycled or sustainable materials
3. Women Empowerment Programs - Creating more programs that support marginalized women in developing countries to gain skills and tell their stories through various mediums
Industry Implications
1. Social Enterprises - Developing and scaling social enterprises in partnership with NGOs to address gender inequalities and support marginalized communities
2. Mental Health - Exploring how therapeutic photography can be incorporated into mental health practices and programming for marginalized communities
3. Sustainability - Creating innovative sustainable practices within the photography industry to be more eco-friendly and reduce carbon footprints while also empowering women