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Wildflowers
Wildflowers
Rosem Morton
March 8, 2023
LFI: What has changed since you won the award last year?
Rosem Morton: Since winning the award last year, I have gained more confidence in my work and my practice. The award was an additional encouragement for me to take the leap and leave my nursing job, to fully focus on my photography and my projects.
Why is it important that awards like this exist?
In an industry that is still a predominantly male space, awards like Leica Women Foto are a way to help bridge the gender gap. I also really value how these awards connect you with a different audience. I am honored to have my work, especially my Wildflower project, reach more people.
Which project have you done with the new camera? How is working with it?
I use my Leica SL-2 to continue my project, Wildflower. Wildflower is my exploration of life after trauma, through paired images and journal entries. My hope is to encourage viewers to engage in meaningful conversations on what it means to be a survivor and an ally to survivors. The SL-2 feels amazing in your hands, and its construction quality inspires confidence; but the highlight for me may be the large, bright viewfinder.
Concerning International Women's Day, which women do you admire?
A big part of my work is using photography to confront and address cycles of trauma. I admire the women all over the world who have contributed to this in their own way. Together, we break cycles and lift each other up, which is a beautiful thing to celebrate for International Women’s Day. I also have great admiration for my mother, Rose. She took a leap of faith and made sacrifices so that she could eventually bring her family to the US. She sacrificed her dreams so I could dream. I hold that close to my heart.
Rosem Morton: Since winning the award last year, I have gained more confidence in my work and my practice. The award was an additional encouragement for me to take the leap and leave my nursing job, to fully focus on my photography and my projects.
Why is it important that awards like this exist?
In an industry that is still a predominantly male space, awards like Leica Women Foto are a way to help bridge the gender gap. I also really value how these awards connect you with a different audience. I am honored to have my work, especially my Wildflower project, reach more people.
Which project have you done with the new camera? How is working with it?
I use my Leica SL-2 to continue my project, Wildflower. Wildflower is my exploration of life after trauma, through paired images and journal entries. My hope is to encourage viewers to engage in meaningful conversations on what it means to be a survivor and an ally to survivors. The SL-2 feels amazing in your hands, and its construction quality inspires confidence; but the highlight for me may be the large, bright viewfinder.
Concerning International Women's Day, which women do you admire?
A big part of my work is using photography to confront and address cycles of trauma. I admire the women all over the world who have contributed to this in their own way. Together, we break cycles and lift each other up, which is a beautiful thing to celebrate for International Women’s Day. I also have great admiration for my mother, Rose. She took a leap of faith and made sacrifices so that she could eventually bring her family to the US. She sacrificed her dreams so I could dream. I hold that close to my heart.
ALL IMAGES ON THIS PAGE: © Rosem Morton
Rosem Morton+-
Was born and grew up in the Philippines, and lives today in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. She is a National Geographic explorer, and recipient of scholarships from the International Women's Media Foundation and We, Women Photo Artist. In 2020, her !Wildflower! project received the Visa d'or Award at Visa pour I'image. Her work has been published in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, among others. More
