This photoshoot with Rawhi Said was a bit of a dream come true moment for me. I’ve been a longtime fangirl of Pollen, a nonprofit media arts organization based in Minneapolis. When they reached out to see if I could photograph Rawhi for a Virginia McKnight Binger Unsung Hero awards profile, I was both excited and honored. I used to work at a rural philanthropy that was another outgrowth of the McKnight family, so appreciated that connection. It was at that same rural organization that I got to meet and interview Rawhi’s mom, Fatima Said, founder of Project FINE. Both Rawhi and his mother have been huge assets in southeastern Minnesota’s efforts to welcome new refugees and immigrants and work with them to find meaningful employment and other needs. Read more about Rawhi in Pollen’s wonderful profile, written by Alia Jeraj and art directed by Leeya Rose Jackson.
Rawhi was a photographer’s dream client: bouncing on his toes with excitement to show me his spaces, introduce me to his coworkers AND his backyard pandemic chickens, and pose with a beaming smile at every location we went. Getting to meet folks like Rawhi who are making such a positive impact in their communities is one of the best gifts that photography has given me. Thanks so much, Pollen and Rawhi, for making this such a memorable shoot.
