Lisa Wiltse’s Profile

Little Voice,Daulatdia Brothel By Lisa Wiltse: 13Dec; Imagine a young girl, no more than 13 years old playing dress up, putting on heavy makeup to disguise her youth beneath a mask of paint. Imagine the smile on her face and her innocence. Imagine, that instead of playing make believe she must go out and sell her body to male clients up to 12 times a day. This is the daily routine for underage sex worker Bristi, who lives with her mother, a former prostitute in Daulatdia, Bangladesh’s largest brothel. Bristi has been...; Tags: Bangladesh, brothel, Children, Community, Documentary, Editorial, Faripur, Human Rights, Photography, Photojournalism, Poverty, Sexuality, South Asia, underage, Women's Rights

I was born in Weston, Connecticut, and graduated from the Art Institute of Boston with a BFA in photography. In 2004 I moved to Sydney, Australia where I worked as a staff photographer for the Sydney Morning Herald. In 2008, I decided to pursue my freelance career and in 2009 moved to La Paz, Bolivia. I have traveled extensively, focusing on documenting everyday life in marginalized communities in places such as Bangladesh, Uganda, Philippines, Bolivia and the USA.
I aim to produce photo essays that are intimate yet strong in narrative, and that gives voice to those previously overlooked
My focus has been mainly on the lives of women and children who have never had the opportunity to live in the way to which they are entitled. I try empathizing with my subjects and trying to bring to life moments where I have strongly reacted and was able to document a meaningful image
I utilize photography to bear witness on such global social issues as the environment, famine, youth culture and poverty with the intention to suggest empathy and/or social change.
My intention is not to only shed light on their struggle, but present the full spectrum of their experiences and capture deeper, truer visual references that are distinct and personal. There is more to see, surely--something different and revealing and instructive and beyond the mere fact of suffering. All lives, even those many consider wretched and deprived, are "lives" still and there is beauty and courage and yes even joy in them.

Contact Information:
+64212086518
www.lisawiltse.com
www.lisawiltse.photoshelter.com
lisa@lisawiltse.com

Photography Awards and Commendations

2011

Grand prize winner of One Life photography award, The Mennonites of Manitoba, Bolivia
Runner up, The Invisible World , Enrique’s Playground

2010

Laureate, Prix Voies-Off, Mennonites of Manitoba, Bolivia

Winner of Magenta Foundation’s Emerging Photographer, Mennonites of Manitoba, Bolivia
Australian Walkley award, daily life/feature, Potosi, Bolivia
Pictures of the Year International, Community Awareness finalist, Mennonites of Manitoba, Bolivia
NPPA, 3^rd place , Enterprise Picture Story, Mennonites of Manitoba, Bolivia
Winner, PDN Emerging photographer
Santa Fe Project Competition, Honorable Mention, Mennonites of Manitoba, Bolivia
Wine Photography , finalist, Mennonites of Manitoba, Bolivia