Help replace my broken cameras
DONATE VIA “GIVEBUTTER”
Hello, World!
Since 2016 I've been investing in communities and issues across the country. I am using my platform and camera to advocate for humanity.
As a visual documentarian, I aim to show up and elevate those fighting to bring hope, love, justice, and healing within communities, states, and beyond. I rely on monthly donations to do the work because I'm not affiliated with any outlet. This gives me a unique ability to invest in places long-term and helps break down barriers and build trust. The camera I've relied on since late 2020 has decided to quit on me. It has followed me into -20 degree weather, snow storms, tear gas, extreme heat, and harsh conditions on our USA south border. It's allowed me to cover Protests, Refugee camps, humanitarian aid, natural disaster relief, unhoused issues, mass shootings, environments restoration projects, Indigenous lead movements, racial justice awakenings, healing spaces for animals and veterans, MMIW, and more.
Over the last month, I've already spent over $6,000 on van repairs (the vehicle I live in) and repairing Journalism equipment like my dead laptop and Zoom audio recorder. These were unplanned expenses that I didn't have the budget for, but I made it work. But having my lifeline (my sony a7iii camera) go out on me is a big blow and something I can't replace. So I'm reaching out to the community asking for support and help. On top of my Sony, my secondary backup camera, which I've had since 2018 and is pivotal for doing interviews, broke down while down the border in Aug of 2022, limiting the work I can do. As a documentarian, I'm without cameras, halting my work altogether.
I'm needed to raise $2500 to replace my primary camera and then a total of $7,000 for both cameras so the work of Humanizing Through Story can continue advocating through visual journalism.
As a thank you, everyone, that donates will receive a complimentary 4x6 print of one of my wildlife photographs and will be entered to win a large print of their choice (from a select photo).
You can also join our Patreon team, a Monthly subscription for as little as $3.50 a month. Through this, you will get exclusive content, gifts, a personal community about my work and travels in the van, be added to close friends' stories on IG and more. learn more here: Patreon
You can also donate below via PayPal, Venmo @humaningthroughstory, or CashApp $yourstorymatters
We currently have $100 raised
Monthly Patreon Support
GOAL: $1k montHly
Currently : $383 monthly
Hello,
Monthly sustainers also get behind the sense of looking into my life on the road, travel tips, Journalism stories, and exclusive content; they are part of the "close friends" Instagram stories. Patreons at $15/month or higher get handwritten postcards from my travels throughout the year.
Everything that I covered in the past 5+ years was made possible by my Patreons, so thank them for believing in and trusting in me!
I'm looking for people to help fuel this work. Im starting Spanish lessons and want to give back to the organizations dedicating their lives to working with/for refugees and fixing our immigration system. I want to empower them to keep doing the work. I also hope to give back directly to Refugee families. These goals will only be possible from new supporters joining the team.
I'm currently at the $383/month mark with 28 supporters. I hope to reach the $700 mark or get to 50 Patreons.
Follow the link below to learn more, or contact me directly with any questions you might have: connect@humanizingthroughstory.org
paypal
Why Supporting Matters
You can read about my home on wheels HERE. I live off about $600ish (consistently) monthly through monthly Patreon support. This pays for gas, phone, groceries, car insurance, and other monthly fees leaving little to no room for emergencies. I live in a van, so there are bound to be car troubles sooner or later…hopefully later. You can learn more and become a Patreon in the links below. If you want to make a one-time donation to my work, you can do that through PayPal: jonstegenga@humanizingThroughStory.org or through Venmo: @humanizingthroughstory Cashaapp: $yourstorymatters. Also, please scroll down to see a list of current wants/needs for my photojournalism work and van living!
You can also contribute to Humanizing Though Story by buying one of our prints
PRINTS