Women’s Health Photography
Frontline health care workers play an essential role in delivery of medical care in rural regions of India. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, Bihar, India 2017
Championing Maternal Health: Advocacy Through Photography
Health is the cornerstone of thriving communities, and I am deeply committed to using my photography to tell the stories of women’s and children’s health. These stories are not just about challenges but about resilience, hope, and the transformative power of accessible, equitable healthcare. I work with a wide range of non-profits, NGOs and other humanitaririan organizations to amplify these vital narratives, inspiring action by th etargted audiance and fostering a global commitment to health equity.
A Focus on Women and Children
Effective delivery of maternal care requires counseling of the entire family with the role of the mother-in-law assuming particular importance. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, Bihar, India 2017
Women and children are often at the heart of health initiatives, and for good reason: their well-being directly and profoundly impacts families, communities, and future generations. My work often finds me documenting the programs and interventions that improve maternal health, reduce child mortality, and empower families with the tools they need to thrive. It is always inspiring to work with the committed women and their families on these impactful programs.
A Tailored Approach through Collaboration
Celebrating baby’s first solid food is an opportunity to teach the entire community about nutrition and health. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, Bihar, India 2017
My photography is designed to serve the unique needs of the organizations I partner with and every project I take on begins with deep collaboration. Whether for fundraising, awareness campaigns, or advocacy efforts, I work closely with teams to define the goals and create compelling narratives that drive engagement and support. I believe that open dialog and brainstorming is essential to meeting your objectives. To facilitate this critical planning step, I have created a methodology to capture and refine strategic intent through the Humanitarian Photography Brief. In addition to engaging with you and your marketing/communication teams, an effective campaign includes engagement with healthcare workers, local leaders, and the women and families whose lives are touched by these programs. By listening to their stories and respecting cultural contexts, I ensure that the images I create are both authentic and empowering. Click on this link to download a free copy of the Humanitarian Photography Brief Template.
Capturing Transformative Moments
First taste of solid food. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, Bihar, India 2017
Whether it’s a midwife delivering care in a remote village, a vaccination campaign protecting children, or a support group empowering mothers, I focus on the transformative moments that define these initiatives. These images not only highlight the critical work being done but also underscore the urgent need for continued investment in women’s and children’s health.
Advocacy with Empathy and Respect
Photographing women’s and children’s health demands a compassionate approach. These are deeply personal stories, and I take great care to document them with dignity. My aim is to create visuals that educate and inspire action while honoring the strength and agency of the individuals involved.
A Vision for Health Equity
I believe that every woman and child in the world deserves access to quality healthcare. Through my photography, I aim to shine a light on the work being done to make this vision a reality while inspiring others to join in this critical mission. For me, every image is a step toward a healthier, more equitable world that respects all people with dignity.
If you’d like to explore how we might collaborate to tell these important stories, I hope you will reach out by visiting the link below.
SELECT ASSIGNMENTS
Nadunget Health Center, Moroto Uganda
Women seeking medical care at Nadunget Health Centre in Moroto District, Uganda. Photograph: ©Steven Wade Adams, Uganda 2017
Nadunget Health Centre III is a medical facility located in Nadunget, Matheniko County, Moroto District, in Uganda's Northern Region. Serving as one of the seven public health facilities in Moroto District, it caters to the healthcare needs of approximately 140,000 residents.
In recent years, the health center has seen significant improvements, engaging in various partnerships with various NGO and adding essential healthcare workers. Despite these advancements, challenges persist, including a poor road network that hampers health service delivery in the region.
Women & Children's Health in Bihar, India
Beginning in 2010, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation partnered with the Government of Bihar, India to launch the Ananya program to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health outcomes by addressing barriers to the adoption, coverage, quality, equity and health impact of select interventions such as strengthening frontline worker service delivery; social and behavior change communications; layering of health, nutrition and sanitation into women’s self help groups (SHGs); and quality improvement in maternal and newborn care at primary health care facilities eventually applied across the state’s population of 104 million. During my time is Bihar, I was privileged to accompany local care workers as they visited expecting mothers to provide education on nutrition, vaccinations and all aspects of pre-natal care, planning for delivery and family planning. In a region where female infanticide remains an issue, the value and importance of girls is also key topic of education. We also visited mothers that had just given birth all the way to the time when their babies began on solid food. This project was a collaboration with PCI India to capture the activities significant impact of this multi-faceted program in Bihar, India. The State of Bihar provided significant resources to the project which has since been a model for maternal and child health in many other locations across India.