Alumni Spotlight with Paul Hilbink
Current Occupation: Photographer
Workshops: Project LA 2022, Project NOLA 2023
Instructors: Jamie Rose, Syed Yaqeen, Allison Zaucha, Annie Flanagan, Marianne Sabrier, Eva Russo
These images were taken on the Momenta Project Los Angeles: Documenting Nonprofits 2022 workshop in Los Angeles, California. Photo © Paul Hilbink/Momenta Workshops 2022.
1. What motivated you to take a workshop and why did you pick Momenta?
I had just graduated with a certificate in Documentary Photography and Filmmaking, and I needed an outlet for the knowledge and skills I’d accumulated. I wanted to tell stories about climate change, and environmental and social injustice, but I didn’t know how.
I googled “documentary photography workshops”, and up popped Momenta. I knew within 5 minutes of visiting the Momenta website that your workshops were EXACTLY what I was looking for. Changing the world with your camera.
Working with nonprofits who might never have the budget for professional documentary photography. First-class instruction and editors. And a chance to meet like-minded people who love photography and telling stories. A win-win for everyone!
This image was taken on the Momenta Project NOLA: Documenting Nonprofits 2023 workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo © Paul Hilbink/Momenta Workshops 2023.
2. What surprised you most about the location you visited or the experience of working with a nonprofit?
Most, if not all, nonprofits are staffed by awesome, well-meaning people looking to make a difference in the world. Non-profits are filled with people who look at the world as a glass ‘half full’. Their desire to help others is infectious, and serves as a reminder that there’s way more good in the world than bad.
3. What was the best lesson you took away from your workshop?
This seems obvious, but if you’re going to find your own nonprofit to work with, make sure it deals with something that you’re insanely passionate about. Momenta workshops are a blast, but they’re also three days of non-stop activity (and you WILL be tired on occasion), so it helps to feel strongly about what you’re photographing.
This image was taken on the Momenta Project NOLA: Documenting Nonprofits 2023 workshop in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo © Paul Hilbink/Momenta Workshops 2023.
4. What was your favorite photograph from a workshop & why?
My favorite photo from my week in Cancer Alley at Project NOLA 2023 was this image of a cemetery right next to a petrochemical plant.
For me, this photo summed up everything challenging about Cancer Alley: people living in WAY too close a proximity to health-threatening industries, the fact that the people of the region were there long before the petrochemical plants muscled their way into the region, and the threat to a way of life that people had spent generations building. I was also struck by the juxtaposition of the crucifix with the plant in the background.
Most people would associate Jesus Christ with love, forgiveness, compassion, fairness, and equality for all. All of those traits are in stark contrast to the petrochemical plant in the background, where giant corporations have lied, obscured and hidden the negative effects of their products on the region and on people’s health, and have sued anyone who has tried to regulate their business.
5. What would you tell a potential student to help them prepare for their experience with Momenta?
To take a page from Ted Lasso, “be curious, not judgmental.” Do your homework on the region or city you’ll be visiting, as well as the nonprofit you’ll be working with. Learn its history. Talk with people. Ask questions. Don’t assume anything.
Keep an open mind. One of the best things I’ve learned is to ask “who else should I be talking with about this problem/solution/situation?” That’s when you’ll often find the unique stories that will make your project come alive!
Colorado resident Paul Hilbink became interested in documentary photography and filmmaking after a 40-year career in corporate America.
He travels the U.S. looking for stories on man’s impact on the landscape, climate change, environmental racism, and social injustice, in addition to helping non-profits better tell their stories.
Paul earned a Certificate in Documentary Arts from the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
See Paul’s work:
Instagram: @boatdrinks60
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