EPHAS shares stories and connects people around the world through the power of photography. We put cameras in the hands of students and provide teaching and guidance. Then, we use the power of the internet to get their stories told. EPHAS currently operates 20 schools in Cambodia, the DR, Haiti, Rwanda, and the U.S., and we share over 300 images per week. We believe that Every Person Has A Story, and that every story deserves to be told!
History
Every Person Has a Story (EPHAS) Productions began in 2003 as a business name for Founder G. Ryan Ansin’s film production initiative that created promotional videos for nonprofits. In 2010, however, Ansin changed his strategy and decided to put the cameras in the hands of his former subjects, allowing them to tell their own stories to the world through photography.
When asked to film a documentary in Rwanda, Ansin suggested this innovation—to teach instead of film and the organization, 1for3.org, agreed that those who were present on a constant basis and were truly affected by the improved cleanliness of the water could best document the longterm process of water purification. Ansin scheduled that trip for August 2010 and set off to run the proof of concept at more familiar locations in Cambodia where he had long standing relationships. Within the first week of teaching at various rehabilitation centers for war-inflicted wounds, Ansin was already receiving job offers around the country. He knew that they were on to something. Ansin’s plane landed May 22nd, 2010 and he hit the ground running. EPHAS Productions, Inc. was formerly incorporated on June 30th, 2010 and received its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status on September 14th, 2010.
Mission
Our mission is to educate people in developing countries in media arts so they can self-document the life and transformation in their communities. We hope to assist in presenting often difficult or unsightly realities that otherwise go unheard to those fortunate enough to help. We want every organization with which EPHAS works, to have the resources to educate their clientele in media arts, enabling them to document their own experiences and, in turn, promote the organization offering aid.
