Adorama Photo Expert Tamara Lackey Honored at PMDA

"Beautiful Together," Photo Series, Korah, Ethiopia. © Tamara Lackey

The Adorama family would like to congratulate Nikon USA Ambassadorand Adorama Photo Expert Tamara Lackey on being honored at this year’s PMDA event “Photographers Who Give Back.” On Tuesday night, The School of Visual Arts, PDN magazine and the Photoimaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA) recognized Tamara for a photo project highlighting the charity, “Beautiful Together Feeding Fund,” which included a portrait series of orphans in the Ethiopian village of Korah.

Using a Nikon D810camera and theNikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Tamara, who hosts AdoramaTV’s reDefine Show and shares her photo tips on ALC, took heartstirring photos of children at Life to Live for Korah, an orphan feeding program founded by a Korah native. The village of Korah was originally built as a leper colony and has now grown more than 120,000 people, nearly all living in extreme poverty. Despite all the difficulties the people of Korah face on daily basis, Tamara writes on her blog: “There is an incredible spirit, sweetness and energy running through the people…The pain just seems to co-exist with the gratitude in a way that really stays with you.”

Indeed, mixed in with the heartbreaking portraits of solemn faces receiving their daily meals at the feeding program, Tamara managed to capture many smiles amongst the children enjoying their meals together, shining like beacons of hope through dismal circumstances.

It is for this ability to use her camera capture the inner light of the people of Korah, without de-emphasizing the dire situations in which the villagers find themselves, that Tamara was honored along with three other professional photographers and one student photographer for using their talents to give back and heighten awareness of their selected charities.

Other photographers honored included Colby Brown and Ted Kawalerski, and guests were greeted by master of ceremonies, singer-songwriter, Ben Folds.

“The power of imaging is never more apparent than when it is used to help those in need,” said Jerry Grossman, executive director of the PMDA. “We wanted to recognize photographers in our industry who go the extra mile to highlight social issues that affect us all.”

The event on Tuesday included presentations by each of the photographers, as well as Q&A panel discussions and networking party.

In addition to Tamara’s photo project, Tamara created 3-minute video to share what is being done to feed the orphans in Korah. See it here.

We are incredibly proud to count Tamara as part of the Adorama family and hope that our readers will take a moment to learn more about her amazing work in photography as well as her charitable contributions. Viisit her blog here.

Congratulations, Tamara!

More about Tamara:

Tamara Lackey is a renowned portrait photographer and Nikon USA Ambassador whose photography, described as expressive, soulful, beautiful, funny, has appeared in dozens of media outlets, includingO Magazine,Men’s Journaland onThe Today Show.

Adorama Photo Expert Tamara Lackey Honored at PMDA

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