I am honored to share that CNN recently featured my work as a humanitarian photographer, highlighting my lifelong mission to document the human spirit and bring awareness to the harsh realities of modern day slavery and human trafficking.
For over 40 years, I have traveled to more than 150 countries, photographing humanity in its many forms. For the last 17 years, my focus has been on exposing the hidden faces of slavery — individuals and families whose suffering too often goes unseen.
A Global Collaboration to Expose Forced Labor
In this CNN Global interview, I shared my ongoing partnership with the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation. Together, we embarked on a project to examine the global technology supply chain and identify where forced labor or modern slavery can take root.
Our journey took us across five countries and three continents, where we met with activists, spoke with vulnerable migrants, and entered the heart of mines where exploitation persists.
One image that remains with me is that of a young girl in the mica mines. Barely more than a child, she wielded a sledgehammer far too heavy for her small frame. Instead of being in school, she was pounding the earth for mica alongside her family. Her presence there is a stark reminder that child labor is not a distant problem of the past — it is happening now.
Why This Matters
Every photograph I take is meant to awaken empathy, compassion, and ultimately, action. When we see the reality — a child forced to work, a family trapped in cycles of exploitation — we cannot turn away.
Through this work, my hope is to illuminate the pathways where corporations, governments, and individuals can intervene. By shining a light on these hidden corners of the world, we bring forward the possibility of freedom and dignity for those who are most vulnerable.
Watch the Full Interview
I invite you to watch the full CNN segment here:
May it serve as both a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit and a call to action for all of us to take part in ending modern slavery.
