Documentary Photographer and Political Activist - Sonja H. Harris

Photography has always fascinated me and has been my life’s passion. Maybe it’s because growing up I observed my father always being accompanied by his camera. It gave him such pleasure seeing and sharing the people and places that he photographed; I just imagined that one day I would also be a photographer. In 1981 I was hired as a photographer for the City of San Antonio, a position I totally loved and enjoyed. I was considered a Public Relations photographer, which included promoting San Antonio to the tourist. I have to laugh at that now since San Antonio is such a haven for tourists.

But even then, I knew that enjoying my work was taboo and there were consequences to be paid. Most people will probably never know the obstacles endured especially for a woman photographer in the early ‘80’s. I can still remember going to special events where there were only two women photographers covering the occasion, myself and the only female newspaper photographer that was employed by the now defunct San Antonio Light newspaper. So much has changed in the field of photography that I find it surreal when I look back. Viewing my black and white images and my present digital work reminds me that every day is a new day, a new beginning.

There have been many mentors and people who have supported me and made a difference in how photography and art is viewed. One of these visionaries is Frances Byrd, the National Director of Liberatchik. I met Frances through a friend, Robert Jones, a photojournalist for the army, about 5 years ago. This story is as much about Frances who has been tireless in promoting ‘conservative’ art as to my recent on-line exhibition on FreedomWorks as the Featured Artist of the Month, November.

Please take the time to follow the links at the bottom of this post as they provide my images and story of my journey in photography. I have spent endless volunteer hours photographing, editing and using my images in the articles I write bringing the conservative truth to a million readers. This would be a great opportunity for you, the reader, to comment on my images, thereby supporting the ‘conservative’ art movement, #TakeBackOurCulture.

The Long Road to FreedomWorks
by Francis Byrd

Building an art movement that provides an alternative to the progressive status-quo hasn't been easy. We all know the left doesn't play fair in matters of diversity and open-mindedness; even less so in the realm of art and culture.

Over a decade ago, I decided it was time to combine my love for America, my talents as an artist, and my bottomless well of opinions into a foundation for political art that would impact the culture and provide a point of view outside the lock-step norms within the art community.

It didn’t take long for someone to look at me like I had pooped on the floor and bleat, “You’re a CONSERVATIVE artist?” I guess diversity and open-mindedness only apply to liberal ideas. Then, of course, the woman tried her best to change my point of view because she felt I must be mistaken about my own perspective. When that didn’t work, she resorted to quizzing me on dates, names and obscurities of American history. When she finally found a fact that I had not read up on, she used that to make the point that I was ignorant, and therefore have no valid point to make through my art. She was kind enough to console me with the fact that she had an unfair advantage over me - she’s an ex-professor. I chose to be amused. This has happened many times before, you see.

In fact, that reaction from liberals in general and artists in particular, is what led me to start creating political art.

About six years ago, Christopher Cook found me and asked if I would like to help him build a conservative/libertarian art movement. It has been a long road, with many bumps along the way. Not surprisingly, much of our problem has been lack of support from the right. This is not to say that people who believe in liberty and individualism don’t like art. They’ve just become accustomed to the idea that all those wacky artists out there are raging liberals. Many of them have more important things to spend money on than art, and most certainly aren’t interested in hanging something political on their wall. Most were not aware, until the last couple of years, that there was any art out there that they could relate too. They had given up.

I had the pleasure to be across from the FreedomWorks booth during the Smart Girl Politics conference in Atlanta and was able to speak to them at length about my own art, as well as the group of artists at Liberatchik. I am excited to have the opportunity to partner with FreedomWorks. An organization I have long respected, FreedomWorks strives to hold all political parties accountable and put America and the rule of law above partisanship and agenda-driven policy. When they offered to share a monthly artist review spotlighting Liberatchik members, I was honored to accept the partnership. This is the story of my long road to FreedomWorks.

RED SONJA2014©

Freedom Artist Sonja Harris:

Documentary Photographer and Political Activist
http://www.freedomworks.org/content/freedom-artist-sonja-harris-document...

LIBERATCHIK
http://liberatchik.com/

Sonja Heldt Harris Biography and comments
http://liberatchik.com/?p=3888