In May 2017, I had the privilege of documenting a mission trip to Imu State, Nigeria, where ten volunteers worked to rescue children from sex and labor trafficking, placing them in BIZAA-built schools to help rebuild their futures. The photos I captured focused on the heart of this transformative effort and were used to support BIZAA’s fundraising, child sponsorships, and volunteer recruitment.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was the difficulty of capturing candid moments in a setting where I stood out as a foreigner with two DSLRs and large lenses. Many of the images were taken while driving through the Nigerian countryside in tinted minivans, which added a layer of complexity to capturing authentic moments. Despite the challenges, this project was a deeply moving experience that reshaped my perspective on “needs” versus “wants” and reinforced the power of community in making meaningful change.