Silent Images (non profit organization) was founded in May of 2007 by David Johnson.
David is a former English teacher in Charlotte, NC who left teaching to do full time international work. He specializes in documentary photography, and his passion is taking his camera around the world to document persecuted and oppressed people and then use his work to raise awareness and money for the indigenous people. All of the profit from his work is donated back to aide those people he has documented. His latest book, Voices of Sudan, documents the people in Darfur and other regions of Sudan. He has traveled to and documented work in Cambodia, Thailand, Brazil, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Singapore, France, Holland, China, Vietnam, France, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Ethiopia and Peru.
Other Biographical Facts:
- Earned BA in Education from UNC Chapel Hill
- Played college tennis
- Taught English and coached high school tennis at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC
- Eagle Scout
- President of Johnson Photography, LLC
Silent Images has served:
- The U.S. Embassy of Ethiopia
- NYU
- UC Berkeley
- Stanford University
- Duke
- UNC
- Persecution Project Foundation
- Samaritan's Purse
- African Leadership
- SIM and Sports Friends
- The Charlotte Eagles
- Mocha Club
- And dozens of high schools, middle schools, churches and civic groups around the nation.
Endorsements:
"David's photography in Voices of Sudan is beautiful. It shows us the strength, beauty and hope of the people who have survived the genocide in Darfur. If you buy this book, you will help bring relief to Darfur's people." - Mia Farrow
"David's presentation encouraged the audience to think critically about how the media's portrayal of the Darfur genocide compares with the lived experiences of those living in Darfur. His words and images prompted a dialogue that will extend far beyond the presentation itself, inspiring and motivating students and community members to renew their commitment to Darfur with fresh energy and perspective." - Student- Stanford University
"David's book, Voices of Sudan, gives a powerful and personal look into the lives of the Sudanese who are trying to survive in the midst of genocide and famine. Staring into the eyes and faces in his photographs forces us to deal with the reality of the crisis, but they also remind us of the hope and courage of the survivors." - John Prendergast (Senior Advisor to the International Crisis Group)
"The stories and photography that David powerfully captures in Voices of Sudan remind us of the tragic human condition of the Sudanese and the need for the world to respond and help. - Dean Smith (Legendary UNC basketball coach)"
"David's intimate knowledge and perspective of the help needed in Darfur painted a provocative picture of the situation. His vivid pictures and heart-wrenching stories inspired all the NYU students attending." - Student - NYU
"David's photography reminds us of the ethnic and religious genocide of several million people in Sudan and lack of meaningful response to address this abuse with government engagement and non profit assistance is morally reprehensible." - NC Senator Robert Pittenger
"David's photography in Voices of Sudan is powerful. This is one of the first books I have seen that shows us the courage, strength and hope of the Sudanese who are fighting to survive. It is good to see a photographer who wants to use his work to aide a crisis. Buy this book and help to serve Sudan!" - Big Kenny (From country music band Big and Rich)
"Both the people who have never heard of the genocide in Darfur and those who are activists can listen to David speak about it. Instead of boggingdown the human aspect of the conflict with the statistics, politics, and accounts of human beings as simply being victims of violence, he talks about individual people, their stories, and their unrelenting hope. This, I think, allows the audience to really think about their place in the world and experience a personal connection with the people in Darfur that moves them to want to help. And with the encouragement of audience participation and discussion and the passionate and heartbreaking anecdotes of real people, any person who listens to David will be hooked!" - Student- UC Berkeley
If you would like to schedule David for a speaking engagement, please send an email to: silentimages@gmail.com
