In the quiet church, a photo album invites guests to stop, look closer, and think about what they think they know about the people and places of Africa. of Lens on Africa photography and storytelling exhibitionPresented by Emma Fuller of SIM Stories, this work brings together compelling images and personal stories that reveal the everyday beauty, resilience and faith found in communities across the continent. Through intimate portraits and moments of everyday life, this exhibition moves beyond headlines and stereotypes, offering viewers a more human and nuanced perspective framed through the lens of lived experience and meaningful connections.
Photos and videos are powerful for sharing human stories that encourage connection and deep reflection. I recently caught up with Fuller to uncover the inspiration behind the exhibit. SIM is a missionary organization that works with churches around the world to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in communities where he is largely unknown. I participated in the Lens on Africa storytelling photography exhibition held in Kitchener, Ontario from March 13th to 15th. In our conversation, Fuller talked about her journey capturing the stories of people in the communities she serves, the impact it has had on her life, and why it’s important for others to take part.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo and worked in the corporate video production world for about six years before going on a mission. I’ve had a camera in my hands since I was about 10 years old, and I was obsessed with making movies with my friends. Even then, I believed that movies and stories had the power to change the world. For me, stories have always been about connections and giving people a glimpse into the world they might not otherwise experience.
What made you consider providing services with SIM East Africa?
Since I was 16 years old, I had felt an inexplicable fascination with mission and felt that media might be the way I could serve. While I was in college, I had the opportunity to go on a short-term missionary trip to Honduras, and that experience further deepened my desire for missionary work.
I filmed what we were doing during that trip and later put together a video to share with church when we returned. It was one of the first times I saw how storytelling and media can help people feel connected to what God is doing somewhere in the world.
After graduating from college, I began exploring what ministry meant to me. And in 2022, God opened the door for me to go to Kenya to serve with the SIM Stories East Africa team. I was drawn to SIM as an organization because of the many different ways the mission was accomplished. It felt like there were no limits to where or how someone could get involved, it was all about following God’s leading.
How long have you had your SIM? Which countries have you traveled to during this time?
I served in a short-term mission for 19 months, but it was a season for me to see if God was calling me to serve long-term. During that time, I traveled to Malawi, South Sudan, northern Nigeria, and several locations throughout Kenya.
You have met people from all walks of life in Africa and helped capture their stories. What inspires you most about the people you interact with?
What inspires me the most is the openness with which people share their stories with me. When I photographed or interviewed someone, it was often the first time I met them. In such moments, people share testimonies, sometimes involving deep suffering and trauma, and I was always impressed by their willingness to invite me into their world and trust me with their stories.
As a storyteller, I have had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Listening to them, learning from them personally, and sharing their stories with others is truly a gift. That is a responsibility I cannot take lightly. What I learned was that the moments I spent building relationships, connecting, and creating a space where someone felt safe to share gave me a glimpse of how God sees them. The generosity people showed me was truly an honor.
Please tell us about the purpose and intention of the “Lens On Africa” event.
The Lens On Africa event was born out of a desire to create an experience that reminds people of the power of stories. After returning from Kenya and preparing for an extended stay home, I was looking for a way to share a moment that changed me personally.
Many of the images on display are not from my formal work with SIM, but rather small moments I captured along the way, moments that stick with me. I wanted to share them in a way that others could experience the stories behind them for themselves.
The Lens on Africa exhibit is designed as a storytelling experience. Find photos of animals, people, and landscapes. There’s looping video footage that brings some of the images to life, and some audio that lets you actually hear the locations in the photos. The goal is to bring small moments to life and remind us that it is often through stories and connections that we change.
What role do digital and visual media play in connecting the global church and advancing its mission?
In this digital age, media helps turn information into an invitation. Visual storytelling provides context to people and places that could never be seen or understood otherwise.
My hope in sharing these stories with the church is that people will be reminded of their role in the global church: praying for missions around the world, supporting missionaries, and reaching out to communities in their own neighborhoods. Media helps us feel connected to what God is doing globally and reminds us that each of us has a role to play in God’s mission.
Do you have a favorite story among the stories you have photographed?
It’s hard to pick a favorite because each story affected me in different ways, but one that stands out is the one from Nigeria’s Dai Pit. I had the opportunity to photograph a man named Mahmoud at work. It was incredible to watch him work on his creations, there was so much joy and focus in the way he approached his work.
What was even more impressive to me was that he was happy when he saw how interested we were in what he was making. It was such a fascinating place to take pictures, and I remember walking into the dye pit that day and looking at him and thinking, “He’s so beautiful. “He’s like the very essence of this place.” It was a picture perfect moment and reminded me of the joy of photography.
Please describe your creative process.
My process is a little different depending on whether I’m using video or photography, but one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of planning with open arms. I often start with an idea for a story I want to tell, but interviewing someone can take the story in a completely different direction.
Over time, I’ve learned to leave room for the story to unfold instead of trying to force it into a box I’ve imagined. Many of the moments in this exhibit became meaningful stories, not just because they were beautiful images, but because they allowed space for God to teach me something through them.
My creative process increasingly involves listening, observing, and paying attention to moments that may surprise me.
Does working with SIM-based services require special skills like yours?
Anyone with a SIM can use the service. The most important thing is to be willing to follow how God has called you and to have a heart for God’s people.
One of the things I appreciate most about SIM is the diverse backgrounds of the people we serve. There are teachers, doctors, bakers, artists, and people who utilize all kinds of talents and skills. At the end of the day, ministry is about building relationships with people who don’t yet know Jesus, and God often surprises us with our skills in ways we didn’t expect.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
One of the things I want people to experience when walking through Lens on Africa is to be reminded that stories have the power to change the way we see the world. These images capture small moments, moments of work, joy, beauty, and everyday life, but behind each lies a deeper story about people, places, and the work of God.
My hope is that as people engage with these stories, they will remember that the global church is deeply connected. The work that God is doing in the world is not something that is far away from us, but something that we are invited to participate in through prayer, encouragement, and sometimes even our own participation.
Ultimately, I hope that people will not only see Africa differently, but also come away from the exhibit recognizing the power of stories in their own lives and how God is inviting people into His stories.
As I reflect on this interview and the “African Lens” exhibit, I have to admit that Fuller’s story is truly inspiring and a great testament to what is possible when we use our talents to serve others. If you’re in the Kitchener area this weekend, be sure to check out the exhibit. Otherwise, you can support Fuller’s work on her website. emma-fuller-sim-stories.mailchimpsites.com
Source: Jamila Kyari – www.jamilakyari.com
