Episode 53: Shoot Q Grant Winner
In a number of past episodes, we’ve brought up the topic of using one’s artistic skills to better one’s community. The amazing photographers at LaCour, who are also the founders of management software solution ShootQ, have started a grant to give photographers an opportunity to pursue personal projects that raise public awareness about a social, environmental, or economic issue. This year’s $10,000 grant winner is Sherrlyn Borkgren. Sherrlyn’s an Oregon-based wedding, portrait, and editorial photographer with a passion for helping people. In this episode, Rachel Niesen of LaCour joins Sherryln to talk about the origins of the grant, and Sherryln’s winning application to raise public awareness of the horrific atrocities happening to women and babies in the Congo. I hope her passion to use her photography in this way may encourage you to do pursue your own cause.
WARNING: About 30 minutes are so into the interview I read a portion of Sherryln’s winning application and the details are pretty graphic. But I wanted our listeners to understand the height of the atrocities. Also, in light of last week’s controversial email, if you get squeamish at the mention of the “G” word (you know, has three letters, ends in “d”) you may want to turn the episode off about 14 minutes in. That’s when she first says that word. Then, later towards the end she shares why she feels compelled to do this kind of work, and she mentions that word again. I know some of you find it difficult to hear people talk about how their faith affects them, so I’m warning you now. 
If, however, you can stand it, I encourage you to listen on.
Next week, we speak with New York photographer and photo community party host Jason Groupp.
