I’d certainly known it (slavery) existed in the world, but not to such a degree. I felt so horrible and honestly ashamed of my own lack of knowledge of this attrocity in my own lifetime. And I thought, if I don’t know, how many other people don’t know.”
—Lisa Kristine, Humanitarian Photographer

Humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine uses her powerful images and intimate portrayals to elevate awareness of social causes such as modern slavery. The United Nations estimates there are approximately 27 to 30 million individuals caught in the slave trade industry today.

In furthering its mission to advance freedom and combat slavery and human trafficking, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center recently invited Lisa Kristine to Cincinnati to open her exhibit, ENSLAVED: A Visual Story of Modern Day Slavery, which was on display at the Freedom Center through August 31, 2016.

About the exhibition: “ENSLAVED, A Visual Story of Modern Day Slavery documents the lives endured by slaves and celebrates the freedom they never dreamed possible. ENSLAVED is a powerful statement about one of the greatest human rights abuses of our time. The images capture the experience of a moment lived in slavery, allowing the viewer to peek into the lives of those who are ENSLAVED. What we see are two undeniable truths – the extreme brutality of the situation, and the resilience of the human spirit. The exhibition portrays survivors who are now rebuilding their lives and helping others to freedom.” (via enslavedexhibitions.com)

About Lisa Kristine: “Humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine creates more than images, she inspires change. A master storyteller, Lisa documents indigenous cultures in more than 100 countries on six continents, instinctively identifying the universal human dignity in all of us. Awakening compassion and igniting action in a worldwide audience with powerful, broad-sweeping images of courage and tender, intimate portrayals, Lisa elevates significant social causes—such as the elimination of human slavery and the unification of humanity—to missions. Her work resonates in the heart and moves us to act. Best known for her evocative and saturated use of color, her fine art prints are among the most sought after and collected in the world.”

To learn more, visit LisaKristine.com. Prints of Lisa’s photos can be purchased and portion of the sales are directed toward fighting slavery through Free the Slaves organization.

Learn the stories behind the photos below by visiting enslavedexhibitions.com.

All images copyright ©  Lisa Kristine.