Maentz had a conversation with Michael Motamedi and Vanessa Salas on the Matador Network podcast No Fixed Address: The World’s Most Extraordinary People, where they discussed his work as a documentary photographer, Indigenous culture in the Philippines, and the importance of telling a story authentically.
As a documentary photographer, Maentz’s images serve as more than just visually appealing art – they also tell powerful stories. He often focuses on portraying the impact of climate change and the loss of Indigenous cultures, which he considers to be crucial issues of our time.
Unlike a parachute journalist who quickly gathers a story and leaves, Maentz recognizes the responsibility of taking the time to do things right. He describes the process of making contacts on the ground and building relationships with communities before capturing their stories through photographs and writing.
The central theme of Maentz’s work revolves around the notion that land is life. Many communities he visits are fighting to preserve their land and way of life, understanding the implications of displacement. Maentz emphasizes the importance of giving a voice to these communities through his work.
He acknowledges the influence that documentarians have in shaping narratives and being mindful of the stories they choose to tell. Maentz’s approach involves spending significant time in communities, maintaining relationships, and revisiting them years later to document their ongoing stories.
Through his deep commitment to storytelling and building connections with communities, Maentz has gained access to intimate cultural rituals and ceremonies. His book, Homelands, showcases the results of immersing oneself in a region and allowing communities to share their stories through essays and photographs.
To learn more about Maentz’s work, you can listen to the No Fixed Address podcast on your preferred platform.
Jacob Maentz is a documentary photographer who believes in taking the time to truly understand and tell the stories of Indigenous cultures in the Philippines. He does not believe in quick visits and instead spends weeks, even years, building relationships and gaining the trust of communities before capturing their stories through his photographs. Maentz understands the importance of land to these communities and works to preserve their stories of fighting for their land and ways of life. His deep commitment to storytelling and the people he photographs has led to unique experiences and deep connections that are reflected in his book, Homelands. Maentz’s work reflects the importance of taking the time to tell stories with respect and responsibility, and listeners can learn more about his work by tuning into the No Fixed Address podcast.
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