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Our Approach to Storytelling
Stories help people understand the world. They inspire compassion, build trust, and encourage people to act. But with that opportunity comes responsibility.
At Project Gerson, we believe every person has inherent dignity. That belief shapes not only how we serve, but also how we tell stories. Our goal is to document life, not poverty.
We photograph and film the kinds of moments we would want to remember anywhere in the world: friendships, learning, families, celebrations, challenges, acts of kindness, and other cherished moments. A father and daughter sitting together on the front step. Friends laughing together. A student concentrating during a chess match. A volunteer working alongside a family. If a family's circumstances happen to be visible in the background, that is simply part of their story, not the reason we captured the moment.
We do not seek out stories because they are shocking, heartbreaking, or likely to generate donations. Poverty, illness, addiction, grief, and crisis may be part of someone's life, but they should never become the defining image of that person.
Likewise, we avoid photographing or filming people during their most vulnerable moments. Some experiences belong first to the individual and their family. Our responsibility is to serve people, not to turn their hardest days into content.
Whenever possible, we involve people in the storytelling process and respect their wishes. At the same time, we recognize that people receiving assistance may not always feel comfortable declining a photograph, video, or interview. Because of that reality, we do not rely solely on consent as our ethical standard. We also ask a more important question: Does this story reflect the same respect, empathy, and dignity we would want for our own family?
We are also careful not to tell stories that center the helper more than the person being helped. A photograph should not exist simply to prove that someone volunteered, donated, or cared. The people we serve are not backdrops for our generosity or evidence of our good intentions. The most meaningful stories invite others to see people as neighbors, classmates, parents, friends, and community members, not as opportunities to demonstrate compassion.
Finally, we recognize that not every story needs to be shared. Some moments are deeply personal. Others belong to a child, a family, or an individual who trusted us during one of the most difficult times in their lives. Even if sharing that story might raise awareness or generate support, we believe some stories are simply not ours to tell.
Choosing not to publish a photograph, video, or personal story may mean fewer views, fewer donations, or less attention. We accept that tradeoff. Protecting a person's dignity is more important than maximizing engagement.
Sometimes the most ethical story is the one that is never told. We do not help people to feel better about ourselves. Serving others is deeply meaningful, and it is natural to experience joy, gratitude, or fulfillment through that work. But those feelings are a byproduct, not the purpose.
If protecting someone's privacy, dignity, or trust means no one ever knows what happened, we consider that a success, not a missed opportunity.
Michael