Giving back by giving self-portrait prints to people in remote communities and developing regions.
Developing Nations is a travel-photography project by Aaron Neilson-Belman.
In 2012, early on in a year long trip exploring South East Asia, Aaron began a photography project out of the desire to transform the act of ‘taking’ a photo, to the act of giving.
The premise was to capture portraits, and provide prints to people who might not otherwise be able to obtain such keepsakes.
Growing up in Canada, it is easy to take photographs for granted. Most public schools have a yearly photo day where every student has a self portrait taken, with the opportunity to buy prints afterwards.
Getting a role of film or digital copies printed, usually involved a quick trip to the local Pharmacy or print shop.
However, for some in remote communities and developing nations, there is often a digital divide due to cultural, socioeconomic and other factors. making it difficult to obtain physical photo keepsakes.
Photos are by no means a necessity of life. Yet a photo can be a truly special and emotional keepsake, to be cherished for years – a physical glimpse at the past.
Read more about the origin story here.