A picture paints a thousand wordsbut who’s telling

the real story?

Majority World

Majority WorldFor further information please contact:

Rowan Watts, Managing Director

Email: majorityworld@aol.comTelephone: +44 (0)1491 652598

www.majorityworld.orgwww.majorityworld.com

Front cover photography © Prasanta Biswas, Majority World

In a divided world, there is a greater need for knowing the ‘other’ than ever before. Using the powerful and ubiquitous language of photography, and the unique perspective provided by talented local photographers, Majority World nurtures understanding and respect for majority world peoples through insightful, poignant and imaginative photographs that inspire, inform and motivate. It tells stories that only they can tell.

The organisation, however, goes beyond the act of supplying images. It forms a bridge between picture buyers and commissioning editors in the North and suppliers in the South. It provides peer support for majority world photographers. It creates new markets for these masters of their art. It builds entrepreneurial businesses. It makes the invisible visible. It encourages people who want to play a role in building a more egalitarian society and a fairer international trade system, to engage and be involved with one of the most innovative initiatives around. It provides individuals and companies practical opportunities to become change makers, ambassadors and champions for a cause.

Shahidul Alam, Chairman of Majority WorldInternationally renowned photographer, teacher, and campaigner

The idea

© Shoeb Faruquee, Majority World

04 More than a photo agency

06 What’s special about Majority World?

08 Our products and services

10 Key benefits

14 Our portfolio

16 Clients

18 What our photographers say

20 Work with us

Contents

© Shehzad Noorani, Majority World

Majority World is a unique international photographic agency... and a lot more besides. We champion, and provide wider access to, the work of talented photographers born and working in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. And we create markets for the richer deeper insights that emerge from their images and the stories that lie beneath them.

Photographers in the developing world face many barriers to accessing global markets. In comparison with Western photographers, who currently take most of the images we see of the majority world, they are significantly disadvantaged. They are denied by their circumstances a fair share of the world market. This is not right.

All the other agencies had lots to see. But you were the only ones who had something important to say. Mark Antman, Managing Director, The Image Works, Woodstock, USA

““

More than a photo agency

04© Diego Martinez, Majority World

An image portfolio like no other: authentic, inspiring, accessible and respectful photographs providing a visually rich and intimate insight into the world in which most of the planet’s population lives.

A range of other image based products and services all designed to extend the visibility of the photographers work and tell the real inside stories of life in the majority world.

Our photographers are paid at fair international rates, which, when translatedinto local currency, increase their buying power on average tenfold.

A social enterprise that believes in business as a tool for making a difference. A key aim is to be entrepreneurial ourselves, but also to help our photographers be successful entrepreneurs.

A socially responsible brand that champions and authenticates the skill and artistry of majority world photographers.

The global potential of the Majority World brand is massiveBen Marshall, Senior Creative Director, Landor Associates London, International brand consultancy“

“What’s special about Majority World?

06© Memo Garcia, Majority World

Image sales: helping you source striking and relevant stock images of the majority world

Assignments: helping you find the best photographer to carry out your assignments and acting as a communications bridge to ensure successful results

Photographic features and stories: commission or purchase features on a range of themes revealing the varied experiences of people of the majority world in their words, through their eyes

Photographic based products carrying the Majority World brand: in association with product partners who bring relevant marketing and distribution expertise coupled with related values. Products can be both paper based and digital.

Cause related marketing: providing new CSR opportunities for businesses, NGO’s and international organisations to incorporate our images and brand into their communications and marketing activities

E-Magazine: a high quality photographic magazine featuring our photographers, their work, and the challenging cultural, economic and political insights which only they can provide

Membership scheme: individual and corporate membership scheme with associated benefits as a further practical way of demonstrating support for our activities

Our products and services

08© Shoeb Faruquee, Majority World

By using Majority World, you can enjoy...

Unique access: authentic, captivating and inspiring images and photographs provide a genuine insider’s perspective, intimacy and insight

Responsibly sourced photography: photography that makes a difference to many lives in the majority world

Cost effective commissioning: by using locally-produced photography you can save time and money

Environmental benefits: with minimal transport costs and a low carbon footprint, Majority World’s assignments service provides confidence in the result whilst ensuring that you won’t harm the planet in the process

Global but local: in a world overflowing with information, local knowledge and know how adds real value to any campaign or marketing message looking to stand out from the crowd

Key benefits

10© Shahidul Alam, Majority World

...but even more important, you can contribute to making a practical difference by:

Providing markets for photographers to build successful and sustainable businesses

Kick starting new sectors of the digital economy in the majority world

Helping to build a rare pioneering global brand owned by and driven from the majority world

Promoting a richer and deeper understanding of the peoples and cultures of the world that we all live in

According fine local photographers the respect, admiration and dignity that befits their mastery of the art of photography

Key benefits

12© Shehzad Noorani, Majority World

From Afghanistan to Bolivia to Zambia, our photographers take beautifully crafted images illustrating the rich diversity of their people, cultures, businesses and landscapes. These are born out of their intimate knowledge of the culture, and the language of their country of birth. Majority World is able to deliver against any design/editorial brief.

Our portfolio

14© Shahidul Alam, Majority World

Human beings allow me to document moments in their lives. I am the eyes, the ears and the voice of a people.“

“ Sandra Sebastian Pedro, Photographer, Guatemala

Clients

Diversity; great! Quality; great, given the circumstances! Models; great! Most remarkable; it breaks through the stereotypes. It shows the people as they are, not as the Western world likes to cultivate it. We love the series and the project. What will be next?

We found working with Santiago easy - a photographer who knew the local area and language put people at ease. He knew how to behave in situ so we didn’t need to worry about offending our partners or the people we were there to meet.

Bas Van Beek, Managing Director, World Portraits

The Progressio Foundation Ecuador: impact of de-forestation and logging

“

““

“

16© Shoeb Faruquee, Majority World

What our photographers say

I really appreciate what you guys are doing to make our work more accessible. Respect.

I do appreciate all the picture requests that come in. I am just delighted at your choice. What a joy to have a good editor. I will certainly make regular submissions.

Neo Ntsoma, Photographer, South Africa

Dominic Sansoni, Photographer, Sri Lanka

““

““

18© Jashim Salam, Majority World

Work with us

I invite you to align yourselves with the Majority World ethos & philosophy by using and commissioning Majority World’s unique socially responsible products and services. They provide you with new marketing and communication tools, ways to demonstrate and enhance your organisation’s ethical, social and environmental responsibility, whilst at the same time putting money directly into practical economic and SME development in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.Rowan WattsManaging Director, Majority World

““

20© Shoeb Faruquee, Majority World