1315 PICS

Picture Hope

Two shutter sisters travel to five continents to create a visual catalog of hope from surprising sources while an entire community of women photographers do the same right here at home.

We are Shutter Sisters Jen Lemen and Stephanie Roberts, and our dream is to tell stories that change you and me forever.

Our photo assignment takes a community of dreamers on a journey around the world where we consider the essence of hope--that elusive quality that makes it possible to believe this is not the end of your story no matter how simple your stress or profound your tragedy.

On this worldwide adventure, we'll use our lens like a window to see beyond circumstances and context into the heart of what it means to truly be human. We'll search for hope in the lives of the very people who have had every reason to abandon hope as nothing more than wishful thinking, and we'll travel to the places where they first learned hope is a viable way of life.

The inspiration for our travel destinations will be women who are dear friends to us here in the United States--former modern day slaves, genocide survivors, young activists, old visionaries and new immigrants. We'll begin in northeastern Rwanda in a quiet village where two young girls wait to be reunited with a mother they've been missing for over three years. Our journey ends in the hills of Nepal where an American teenager became the mother of twenty orphans when she decided to follow her heart.

At each new destination, we will introduce you to a person who has become for us a living icon of hope. We'll then invite you to respond with geo-tagged finds from your own lens as together we excavate hope wherever we live, wherever we go. This body of images and video will become a visual catalog for our hopeful world. This online gallery will be our collective resource for the creation of literacy tools and print resources to make a real world difference in the lives of the hopeful people we've met on our dream assignment.

Our journey begins April 1st as we join the Shutter Sisters community in gathering images of hope right here at home. These images will be printed on tiny cards called "hope notes" and we'll carry them with us wherever we travel to tell the world you're listening.

What happens next is up to you. Pick hope.

Rank: 1

225 Comments

frazz

Good luck

unchana

More than hope that you win Shutter Sisters!

Marcie

A wonderful dream project. My votes in!! Best of luck!!!

miatchi

Good job mommy my votes for you, hope that you win!

LINARstudio

BRILLIANT idea. If you head to Toronto - I know, not very exotic, but still full of hope - come on over and I'll show you :)

FatherJohn

I voted for you. Good luck.

StaceyMonk

Hope is the most beautiful direction in which a lens can be pointed.

HappyHourMom

What a lovely gift to give to the universe. This is much more than a project. Thank You Dear Shutter Sisters.

ebethharper

Here's hoping you win...I want to see what hope looks like from around the world.

storygoil

Here's to hope.

DaniGirl

Voted for you -- have been admiring Shutter Sisters for a long time. Love this!

dolcepics

Voted for Hope!!

kosenrufumama

voted !!!!!

anhonn

You have my vote!

megfahren

I am with you, shutter sisters! You have my vote!

elliemroz

Gotta have hope!

natalac

absolutely love this...

Oliag

What a wonderful idea...good luck...

adavisphoto

Safe Travels.

KatherineCenter

This is teriffic!!!

jrhandel

Love it! Great idea & Best of luck - you have my "PIC" - please check out my dream of furthering peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. Thanks!!

NotAnna

I was wondering what took you so long, but now I see how much thought you put into making this not just your dream, but that of anyone who wants to participate. That's what I call a wide-angle dream.

sweetsalty

Fantastic! All signed up and if I could vote a gajillion times, I would.
xo

charlaneg

good luck!!! what a wonderful idea

MelodyS

Blessings from my home and heart.

2000jrt

Husband of a Shutter Sister here, saying best of luck!

JudyMcCain

Sister to sister, I wish you the best and promise you the best from my camera and my ordinary corner of the world.

JudyMcCain

And by the way, it'd be great to see someone who can write well win this contest since your output will come in blog form. Unless Lenovo has a ghost writer on staff, they'd be hard pressed to get engaging reading out of some entrants. I'm just sayin'.

DMONA

Great Idea, you have my vote

firegirl445

I love this idea! How creative and cool with great components and essay well written. This should be in the Top 10! Best of luck to you!!! :^)

noia

voted! good luck, love your work ;)

pen

another vote for hope :)

mrcarroll

best of luck to you! you have my vote. :)

sufferingsummer

Great idea! Can't wait to be a part of it in any small way. THis is just fabulous.

megbrothers

i'm in! good luck!

myself

Best of Luck

imaclellan

Great cooperative project. Voted.

Check out my project on innovation and technology as change for the developing world and my portfolio here: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/

HouseofJules

Yes, yes, and yes!

inspiredwriter

I love it. Here's to hope!

Greeblemonkey

Such a lovely lovely lovey idea.

fridaworld

Love it Jen! Very happy to be able to vote for your brilliant idea. x

coachmarcia

I voted and am wishing you all the best, Jen!

RenaeC

you have my vote

ShawnaC

I voted!

carmentorbus

And so it is.

kiredale

What a fantastic idea! I voted too.

kmaehr

Beautiful idea! I voted!

alyssat

I'm crossing my fingers for you!

yertle

You got my vote. Go Hope!

GreenishLady

Yes, yes, yes!

MBPillen

Go, Jen!

Lil

Putting my whole self into wishing you and Stephanie win Jen...and then the whole world will win too!

Lil xo

teemarth

I salute you Jen Lemen and your tribe and your quest to heal and reunite one Rwandan family. Sending y'all the good stuff.

felinet

I vote for hope.

ihanna

I vote for soul sister of the world!

bdsmith521

I just voted...good luck! I have my fingers, toes & eyes crossed in hopes that you'll win!!!

DawnS

BGgarden

This is wonderful!

lyn42

I am holding out hope that HOPE will prevail. Fingers crossed!

meremortal

Voted and breathing out a big sigh of HOPE for ya'll
xoxo

artesana

We are pulling for you. Good Luck!!!

artesana

artesana is Cindy :)

lightwashstudio

Great project - you have my vote!

BrandonATL

Need to read more later, but I voted because I know how passionate you are about your craft! :)

GailNHB

All the best of love and peace and safe travel to you both as you embark on this amazing journey. I can't wait to hear how it all goes.

I do love you, Jen!!!

emilypaben

just cast my vote!

djbeat

i'm in - best wishes!

SRob

Good luck.

kellypurol

I look forward to picturing hope. What a fantastic idea....here's hoping for hope!

keke

Jen cose of your great project,idea:Hundred percent you have my vote!!!!
I do love you Jen!now and forever!!!Kiss kiss!!

Mutara

In my name and in the name of Rwandan society,we are very proudly to vote for hope and we still recognize the works for hope you have done for us.
Our beloved Jen ,be blessed!!

Steve811

Namaste, go all the way...

Heather246

I am so in. Good luck!

kellyraeroberts

just voted :)

ConnieH

I love this!!! Best wishes!!! I support you all the way!

mcontreras

fantastic! just voted. beso- Maya

the_new_brunette

Fingers crossed! :)

jharris9999

I know that you will win.

Many blessings,

James

creativevoyage

I've just voted ! go go go !

claudiamairburney

Traveling mercies!

amyparsonsellis

Best of luck!

gem

yes - yes - yes...

joesan10

How wonderful would it be... I am HOPING and voting...for you.

blairanderson

You go girls!!

mabart

Best of luck with this!

mabart

Best of luck with this!

browneyedfox

fully embracing HOPE!

blessings...

denversavage

I hope you win! What a wonderful idea, good luck to you both!

abigail777

gives me more hope...
blessings

dannymendez

Just voted! Hope you win.

andreascher

I am so excited for you to win! We are behind you sisters!

elfini

Voted! Namaste

dlemen

I see some momentum building here. Go Shutter Sisters! I think this project would have a powerful impact.

jillmnalette75

I voted. Best of luck and safe travels!! You give us all HOPE!!!!
Smiles~Jill

playfullearning

What a wonderful project!

ImageTreePhotography

I sincerely believe with your hearts, your compassion and YOUR OWN hope, you will create miracles with this project. Good luck to you!

MrsBroth

Got my vote! Always amazes me how you just ask for things and people do them!

jennifer2009

good luck!

redted8

You've got my vote. Good Luck.

adamwc

1 more until 10 top!

sarahji

Yay! Keep the votes coming!

mariellanewton

Gooooo sister friends!! Hooray for Hope!! xoxo, ~ M.

littlelakey

saw your video on kelly rae's blog ... i just casted my vote for you.

I hope your dream comes true.

MichaelM

Love it - Sounds like a wonderful adventure!

annrkey

"Hope Floats" right on up and I'm hoping you too will make your dream and the dreams of others come true by sharing their stories!! Good Luck!

reflections

well written. Kudos to a very eloquent and deep assignment. good luck!

papergirl

Good Luck Girls! I believe in your project - passing it along to put you at the top!!

Veroniquetx

Wooohooo! Go Jen!

brenebrown

so hopeFULL for you!

ELK

my thoughts are with you. You do great work...fingers crossed1 ELK

ibelieve

GO shuttersisters!!!!

miketodd07

Moving up that list!

bhowmickgargi

Wow! Awesome! May be you could also include some Indian cities like Bombay, Calcutta and Banaras. I am Indian and have lived in all these places and I love how hope is so immersed in things people do here. I am sure it would be a great experience for you both too!
Best wishes on your project!

naturemama

Voted and totally on board!!

mermaiden

I am jealous! this sounds great. Pic! check out my dream...

BeverlyGilbert

Good Luck!

suzzt

Watching the video made my heart sing ~ I can hardly imagine the adventure!

beankelly

rock on jen lemen
follow your heart
with love
kelly

Simplylove

Are these people you have already connected with in Rwanda? I wasn't clear on this.
Good luck and please check out my dream too---
Sherrlyn Borkgren

fatougc

Great idea! Let's the dreams begin.
Fatou

jhmilyko

Amazing stories, amazing pictures.

kmccann

Good luck! Awesome idea!

relentlsspursuit

Voted. Check mine out. http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/relentlsspursuit/capturing-asias-captured/

chana

I'm rooting for you! For hope!

FatherJohn

I don't think I've seen a dream with more rocket-power climb the charts this whole contest. You seem to be getting a vote a minute! Go for it! Its a great dream. Glad I voted for you. Good luck and God Bless.

taterbug

Voted and hoping!

celisa

hurray! i'm keeping my fingers crossed.

jenmay

cool to see your idea is in the Top 10. :)

Cassondra

good luck ladies!

jsmith3

Father John is right your dream was first lost in nowhere, then it reaches the top20 and with no time the top 10,and in a single day from 10 to 3
just last day from 489 to 547 in a day
and from 547 to 613 in a night
that sure is rocket-power

captaincourt

I am in love with Iceland and was about to post a similar idea before I read yours. Good luck!!

MJDally

I'm ready for you to broaden my horizons! Good luck!

lmayes

I'm voting and hoping with you!!!

mattallen

I have my fingers crossed!! Hope you two win!

laststraw

I voted. Best of luck!!!

Michelle

Shutter sisters are my fav! Best of luck to you!

schorrs

I hope you win. I will send you re-mail along.

Stacibo

Clear sailing.

wilma

What a wonderful way to show the world. I voted.

goodinparts

finally managed to register & vote for you....sending wishes & prayers for success as you continue to shine with hope xx

tigerlily

..mines ideas lost in as i dont do facebook,twitter,mysepace etc...but please check it out and vote!i ahve voted for this

hgrosa

What a powerful dream! You have my vote, and I'll spread the word. Good Luck!

wienbarg1

Here's to HOPE. Best of luck ShutterSiters. I have voted! :)

gakhaki

best of luck--super cool idea!

andrea_k

Fabulous project! I voted for you with all my heart. But whatever happens in this contest, go for it, shutter sisters! Much love to you, andrea

upsideup

Sending all my strongest wishes (along with my vote) for y'all to get your dream. xo

GracePersson

I think this is a beautiful idea!

farleigh1

I voted for picture hope!

kaufmaj2

Awesome!!!

Jennwith2nns

What a beautiful idea. It's what I would have chosen for my entry. Perspective makes all the difference. I wish you well.

thebline

I love this idea. So powerful. And I HOPE you win your dream assignment!
Amy

lindadavick

Go Shutter Sisters!

Chali

There is no dream too big, ladies. You have my hope and support!

pdavison

cool, I like it. My daughter's name is Hope.

nnicassio

Good luck and God Bless!

bklynphoto

You have my support... great idea. Peace.

DMT

I LOVE what Stacey Monk said earlier.
And I applaud and salute you ~ Shutter Sisters ~ for everything you are doing, and have DONE with your BIG hearts already! Nameste and Godspeed!
May the force (love, hope, spirit and power) be with you BOTH!!!

GraceD

Voted! With love from your longtime fangirl, GraceD

emmers

yay for you...good luck...we will all win being able to see with our eyes what you will be able to capture with your lens. thank you.

ParisParfait

Jen, it's a wonderful project and I can't think of anyone better to participate in such a hopeful endeavour! You have my vote!

enfroy

Love your concept and would like to give you free instrumental piano music as a soundtrack for your online gallery. You'll get an idea of the sound at www.MarcEnfroy.com. If you're interested, e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll send you some MP3's.

Good luck!

Marc
www.MarcEnfroy.com

rogue24

I voted 4 you good luck...if you get the chance vote 4 me just want to get the awareness out for my dream...good luck again you are there!!

msgreenthumbs

You have my vote--hope to hear that you win!

Anali

Here's wishing and hoping and voting! ; )

dreamclick

Great idea. I think that in a world plenty of bad things like war, poverty, diseases, famine and natural disasters (among others) we need to believe that hope still exists no matter what. Human spirit is huge and it will be inspiring to see these hope images around the world. I vote for this!!!

BarakaPhotos

nice to see positive ideas. we have some things in common. hope you are voting for all ideas that attempt to show positive aspects of places that get mostly negative coverage...

reveriesandchai

Voted!
Crossing my
fingers for ya!

tinker

Wishing you lots of good luck!

hisrenownphotography

heard about yall from Heidi.. sounds amazing... best of luck... gave you a vote

larryweiner

Heard about this from Meryl...... great concept.... good luck... I voted!

Yoli

I voted, I hope you win, this is so inspirational. For every human being's hope is what keeps them alive.

kimmcmechan

Jen... I was once helping in an orphanage in Guatemala, and the kids there had the most horrific stories and the brightest laughs. I could hook you up???? This is a fab idea... I'll be jealous and delighted when you win!
Kim McMechan

findagravemarker

You got my vote! Make sure you check our blog out http://www.findagravemarker.blogspot.com/ and see our project evolve. We want to record every marker in pictures throughtout the US. Cemeteries are lost or abandond on a daily basis

gbaked

you gals got my vote

please check out mine, more then artistic then documentary

http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/gbaked/bringing-the-monkey-house-to-life/

YFGH

This is amazing! I love you and am so proud of you... A perfect journey! I know you girls will win!!

brklynphoto

Good luck in the next few days! I've sent out some emails to spread the word of your hope project!!!!

BuffaloTshirts

Best of luck!

Conchi

Hope is my favorite word!! Good Luck!!

kristinalexis04

Very Powerful. I had goosebumps. Best of Luck!

earthmama

so happy to support you on this incredible idea!! you are brilliant, brave and beautiful! go go go!!!

earthmama

Toasty

I did my part. Good luck!

beadbam

Great luck, I love it!

BROWNSTONEBABE

I love your concept and would like to collaborate/support you. Good luck! Please check out mine, because we have similar goals. I'm not just saying that...

Thanks! Marj

bluebird

your story brought tears to my eyes. Good luck!

jessicanew

Best of Luck on this inspiring project!!! You girls are AMAZING!!! I HOPE you win this "Dream Assignment." Ofcourse I voted for you!!

kwbautze

You go, girls!

kgibson25

Rock the hope!!!

EmilyTheMotherhood

Jen and Stephanie, what a fantastic project!!! The photos in the video are GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for you and will do everything I can to help spread the word before time runs out!!!!!!

maggiegem

I've been following your blog for some time now... this is great idea, you've got my vote!

Good luck, because this world can certainly some HOPE!

Michelle

Congratulations on your rise to second place! If I had to give up my place, I am proud that it was to the two Shutter Sisters.

vishwa

You get my Vote. All the best!!!

meeshell72

best of luck, jen! really hoping you win so we can all be inspired even more!

karenmowrey

Here's to Shutter Sisters and Hope!

mcaphoto

Great idea. Come check mine out. Your #mom2summit connections lead me to you.

www.tinyurl.com/voteformcaphoto

rolymo

I pick HOPE, and anything else that Jen Lemen feels is a worthy cause because I know that it will be done with heart felt intentions and will result in the highest good for all involved. -Robin :)

magiclanternarts

1111 !!
Is it possible to gather a couple hundred happy folks to vote by midnight?
PUSH!

Cortney

Good luck!!

dolcepics

I can't believe it's no. 1! Amazing and yay for HOPE!

amoswhite3

Spreading hope is infectious! Good luck!

starshyne

I believe in hope. I believe in you.

The world is brighter for what you bring to it.

Namaste.

anneknox

You're the best! Best of luck! Aunt Knoxi

FrannyK

wow i have really seen you guys raise to the top!

vikkicolvin

I voted! As the contest is closing I'm trying to get a personal goal of 100 votes 2 to go.
Help me out

mountainchione

Super cool, and good luck!

nos

good luck! keep me updated!

MicrowaveKit

Your idea sounds awesome!!!

tigerlily73

I'm so emotionally invested in you winning this! I don't know why, other than I believe in what you're setting out to do.

lovin

so impressive. best of luck.

zibs

Congrats. Tell me your secret?

instudiox

I like your idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations.

dedej

Good Luck Stephanie!

xoxo, Dede

MyBrownBaby

What a beautiful, thoughtful assignment... best of luck!

madelora

I love your idea and fully support this project. I, too, have a project that would have fit nicely with yours but didn't hear about this until a week ago and was only able to garner 129 votes. Let me know if you ever need additional lenses. I would love to contribute mine! Good luck to you!

selfrebecca

YAY! Hopeful for ShutterSisters from Lugano, Switzerland and spreading the word still to get people out to vote!
Rebecca S

pherman

nice idea!

Lacey

Great idea! My project is over at http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/Lacey/global-artist-initiative/I'd like to keep in touch and be of any assistance of your projects down the road. You can find me at http://laceylampe.artlogsites.com/ Thanks shuttersisters!

Lntorres

Great Idea. Good Luck!

BGgarden

I pick hope.... I hope you notice!

shanb

Picked Hope. Best of luck!

km16

good luck to you!

rogercarr

I hope you win. Go Jen!

meko

this is the kind of inspiring adventure that gives me goosebumps! I pick hope! best wishes, girls, I am rooting for you!

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