Uncovering Yemen: Collective Photo Action

We cannot deny that Yemen is currently undergoing extremely turbulent times, which has colored much of what surrounds us with a sense of purposelessness. When on the contrary, each day we find purpose in continuing to exist despite these hard times and not knowing what tomorrow brings. We meet each day with renewed hope and strength to keep going.

Photographs we see of the past allow us a moment to reflect on how we got here and what we’ve become. Yemen is that of rich history in its identity and its people that shape its existence, culture, and soul. Often described as the flourishing and happy land of Arabia.

We hold this Collective Photo Action not only to engage in utilizing photography to collect images, but to document and express our present in relation to our past and as a reference for the future; to tell the story of today through our eyes and lenses.

We are asking you to take part in communicating to the world your perspective and uncover the many facets of Yemen through the powerful language of photography; to show the world Yemen through the eyes of Yemenis.

You are provided with three themes and the freedom to express how you see them in the photos you capture. You have three days to take your images for each theme and upload them onto your FRAME.life profile. Register today and join us to be part of FRAME Yemen’s first Collective Photo Action.

Statement of Intent: A Time for Unity

Through the chaos and devastation unfolding in our country we are united in a struggle for survival and existence.

The intention of 'Uncovering Yemen': Collective Photo Action is unity through observation. For three days, we will become observers; we will turn our minds and lenses inward, documenting our Identity, Circumstances, and People. Together we will tell our story one photo at a time.

For too long, the mainstream media has been writing our story through their perceptions and filters. Together, our intention is to change the narrative and retell our story through the eyes of the Yemeni people.

For three days we will put aside our differences; we will peacefully, quietly, individually, and with courage and humility, work simultaneously to create an archive of the Yemen we don’t see in the news.

With only our cameras and mobiles, we will define for ourselves what is worth looking at and create our history by documenting our present. Even with our disagreements, divisions and hardships, we know that the Yemeni people are capable of beauty, joy, and perseverance in the face of adversity, and we encourage you to join us to embrace both shadow and light.

Join FRAME Yemen's Collective Photo Action taking place August 20, 21, and 22, 2015.