After years of living in a communist state, many people, young and old, especially the educated, who were greatly persecuted, fled their countries to start a new life of freedom. New governments took over, but life has remained difficult for many elderly in Romania and Bulgaria. They live in rural communities on old collective farms, far from friends and family.
Families visit rarely. Neighbors help when they can.
These people are spending their last years enduring poverty, isolation and loneliness!
Michele Zousmer is a humanitarian and fine art photographer. Her camera gives voice to people and marginalized communities around the world. Michele’s work shows quiet moments of life, love and loss. Capturing elusive moments of grace and beauty that exist in the most difficult times, emotional connections not seen by many. Michele celebrates each individual’s strength and beauty, as well as vulnerability and spirit, going beyond how one presents oneself to the world.
Michele believes a photograph can create a lasting impression of emotion, curiosity, love and ultimately, hope in mankind.
Awards 2023- Lensculture Critics Choice Award
2023- Lifetime Achievement Award, SxSE Gallery Exhibit
2022- Shadow and Light Magazine - Color Red Series Exhibit
2022- PhotoPlace Exhibit - TRACES - Middlebury, Vermon Zeke and Bridge Gallery Exhibit - Cambridge, Mass.
2021 - Humanitarian Award for 'Sounds Of The Sidelwalk, A Journey Of Goodbye'- New York City International Film Festival
Emerald Award from Coronado Island Film Festival for 'Sounds of The Sidewalk, A Journey of Goodbye'
'Article in All About Jazz online magazine "Can You hear me?"
'Honorable Mention' for 'Documentary and Reportage' from the 16th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers
Sounds Of The Sidewalk, A Journey Of Goodbye - Best Documentary & Humanitarian Award - New York Film Festival 2021
Budapest International Foto Awards 2020 - Gold Editorial Series on Abandoned Elderly, 2nd place in Editorial image
15th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards - winner of Documentary and Reportage Series
Photo Annual 2020 - Winner of photo journalism series - Abandoned Elderly
Photo FOCUS LA 2020 Summer
AAP Photo Magazine Award for photographic series
Photo FOCUS LA 2020 Spring
‘State Of The World’ photographic series (2019)
Zeke Magazine – Global Documentary Work: ‘Irish Travellers in Cashel and Tipperary’ (2019)
Chelsea 34th International Fine Art Exhibit – Certificate of Excellence (2019)
Open Show Los Angeles 52 – Fabrik Project Gallery (2019)
The Curated Fridge – Spring Show (2019)
Huff Post – ‘How Singing In A Choir Helped Homeless People In San Diego Find Their Voice’ (2019)
So Cal Photography Exchange Magazine – ‘Irish Travellers – Social Landscape’ (2019)
Getty “Spotlight” Reportage (2019)
BloodySundayMarch (2019)
American Photographic Artist – San Diego Untitled Contest – 1st Place (2018)
12th Pollux Awards – Children Series – 1st Place (2018)
12th Julia Margaret Cameron Awards for Women Photographers – Honorable Mention (2018)
Lensculture Art Photography Awards Competiti
