Award-winning photographer and filmmaker, Julia Leeb, shares her experiences with NU-Q’s community.
Doha: Award-winning photographer and filmmaker, Julia Leeb, recently shared her experiences working in areas that are some of the most dangerous and remote places in the world, with students and faculty, and staff from Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q).
From documenting political upheaval in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Syria, Libya, and Afghanistan to capturing the everyday life in North Korea and Sudan, Leeb says that she has “lived her life discovering others’.”
“Leeb’s work is both courageous and inspiring,” said Everette E. Dennis, dean and CEO. “Her projects are examples of how film and photography can be a window into an entirely new world and consequently bring positive change to people’s lives, which is what many of our students plan to achieve.”
Leeb also produces virtual reality and 360-degree content about remote regions, including Transnistria in Moldova, and the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. In 2014, the photographs from her visits to North Korea were published in her book North Korea: Anonymous Country.
“What I love most about my work is the power it has to give back,” Leeb said. “By capturing the struggles and hardship of others, I am making a difference by raising awareness about important, untouched issues, which can drive people to take action and help those in need,” adding, “Never underestimate the power of a picture.”
On choosing her stories and news angles, Leeb says that she stays away from sensational news and chooses to cover undocumented stories that give viewers a real taste of how people live their daily lives. This, she said, makes her projects unique and her stories effective. “I identify stories that are not trending,” explained Leeb. “I go to places where media coverage is low or non-existent and where most people would be scared to go. And now, through 360-degree technology, I can bring other people’s reality to life so anyone around the world can see what it is like, without being manipulated.” Elle magazine listed Leeb as one of the top 80 international characters and Refinery29 named her as one of the most inspiring women in Germany.
