1. Majority World
Majority World
For further information please contact:
Rowan Watts, Managing Director
Email: majorityworld@aol.com
Telephone: +44 (0)1491 652598
www.majorityworld.org A picture paints a
www.majorityworld.com thousand words
Front cover photography © Prasanta Biswas, Majority World but who’s telling
the real story?

2. The idea
In a divided world, there is a greater need for knowing the ‘other’ than ever before.
Using the powerful and ubiquitous language of photography, and the unique
perspective provided by talented local photographers, Majority World nurtures
understanding and respect for majority world peoples through insightful, poignant
and imaginative photographs that inspire, inform and motivate. It tells stories
that only they can tell.
The organisation, however, goes beyond the act of supplying images. It forms
a bridge between picture buyers and commissioning editors in the North and
suppliers in the South. It provides peer support for majority world photographers.
It creates new markets for these masters of their art. It builds entrepreneurial
businesses. It makes the invisible visible. It encourages people who want to play
a role in building a more egalitarian society and a fairer international trade system,
to engage and be involved with one of the most innovative initiatives around.
It provides individuals and companies practical opportunities to become change
makers, ambassadors and champions for a cause.
Shahidul Alam, Chairman of Majority World
Internationally renowned photographer, teacher, and campaigner
© Shoeb Faruquee, Majority World

3. Contents
04 More than a photo agency
06 What’s special about Majority World?
08 Our products and services
10 Key benefits
14 Our portfolio
16 Clients
18 What our photographers say
20 Work with us
© Shehzad Noorani, Majority World

4. More than a photo agency
Majority World is a unique international photographic agency... and a lot
more besides. We champion, and provide wider access to, the work of talented
photographers born and working in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle
East. And we create markets for the richer deeper insights that emerge from their
images and the stories that lie beneath them.
Photographers in the developing world face many barriers to accessing global
markets. In comparison with Western photographers, who currently take most of
the images we see of the majority world, they are significantly disadvantaged. They
are denied by their circumstances a fair share of the world market. This is not right.
“
“
All the other agencies had lots to see.
But you were the only ones who had
something important to say.
Mark Antman, Managing Director,
The Image Works, Woodstock, USA
© Diego Martinez, Majority World 04

5. What’s special about Majority World?
An image portfolio like no other: authentic, inspiring, accessible and respectful
photographs providing a visually rich and intimate insight into the world in which
most of the planet’s population lives.
A range of other image based products and services all designed to extend the
visibility of the photographers work and tell the real inside stories of life in the
majority world.
Our photographers are paid at fair international rates, which, when translated
into local currency, increase their buying power on average tenfold.
A social enterprise that believes in business as a tool for making a difference.
A key aim is to be entrepreneurial ourselves, but also to help our photographers
be successful entrepreneurs.
A socially responsible brand that champions and authenticates the skill and
artistry of majority world photographers.
“
“ The global potential of the
Majority World brand is massive
Ben Marshall, Senior Creative Director, Landor Associates
London, International brand consultancy
© Memo Garcia, Majority World 06

6. Our products and services
Image sales: helping you source striking and relevant stock images of the
majority world
Assignments: helping you find the best photographer to carry out
your assignments and acting as a communications bridge to ensure
successful results
Photographic features and stories: commission or purchase features on a range
of themes revealing the varied experiences of people of the majority world in their
words, through their eyes
Photographic based products carrying the Majority World brand: in association
with product partners who bring relevant marketing and distribution expertise
coupled with related values. Products can be both paper based and digital.
Cause related marketing: providing new CSR opportunities for businesses, NGO’s
and international organisations to incorporate our images and brand into their
communications and marketing activities
E-Magazine: a high quality photographic magazine featuring our photographers,
their work, and the challenging cultural, economic and political insights which only
they can provide
Membership scheme: individual and corporate membership scheme with
associated benefits as a further practical way of demonstrating support for
our activities
© Shoeb Faruquee, Majority World 08

7. Key benefits
By using Majority World, you can enjoy...
Unique access: authentic, captivating and inspiring images and photographs
provide a genuine insider’s perspective, intimacy and insight
Responsibly sourced photography: photography that makes a difference to many
lives in the majority world
Cost effective commissioning: by using locally-produced photography you can
save time and money
Environmental benefits: with minimal transport costs and a low carbon footprint,
Majority World’s assignments service provides confidence in the result whilst
ensuring that you won’t harm the planet in the process
Global but local: in a world overflowing with information, local knowledge and
know how adds real value to any campaign or marketing message looking to
stand out from the crowd
© Shahidul Alam, Majority World 10

8. Key benefits
...but even more important, you can contribute to making a practical difference by:
Providing markets for photographers to build successful and sustainable
businesses
Kick starting new sectors of the digital economy in the majority world
Helping to build a rare pioneering global brand owned by and driven from the
majority world
Promoting a richer and deeper understanding of the peoples and cultures of
the world that we all live in
According fine local photographers the respect, admiration and dignity that
befits their mastery of the art of photography
© Shehzad Noorani, Majority World 12

9. Our portfolio
From Afghanistan to Bolivia to Zambia, our photographers take beautifully
crafted images illustrating the rich diversity of their people, cultures, businesses
and landscapes. These are born out of their intimate knowledge of the culture,
and the language of their country of birth. Majority World is able to deliver
against any design/editorial brief.
“
“
Human beings allow me to document moments
in their lives. I am the eyes, the ears and the
voice of a people.
Sandra Sebastian Pedro, Photographer, Guatemala
© Shahidul Alam, Majority World 14

10. Clients
“
Diversity; great! Quality; great, given the
circumstances! Models; great! Most remarkable;
it breaks through the stereotypes. It shows the
people as they are, not as the Western world likes
to cultivate it. We love the series and the project.
“
What will be next?
Bas Van Beek, Managing Director, World Portraits
“
We found working with Santiago easy -
a photographer who knew the local area and
language put people at ease. He knew how to
behave in situ so we didn’t need to worry
“
about offending our partners or the people we
were there to meet.
The Progressio Foundation Ecuador: impact of de-forestation and logging
© Shoeb Faruquee, Majority World 16

11. What our photographers say “
“
I really appreciate what you guys are doing to
make our work more accessible. Respect.
Neo Ntsoma, Photographer, South Africa
“
I do appreciate all the picture requests that
come in. I am just delighted at your choice.
What a joy to have a good editor. I will
“
certainly make regular submissions.
Dominic Sansoni, Photographer, Sri Lanka
© Jashim Salam, Majority World 18

12. Work with us
“
I invite you to align yourselves with the
Majority World ethos & philosophy by using
and commissioning Majority World’s unique
socially responsible products and services.
They provide you with new marketing and
communication tools, ways to demonstrate
and enhance your organisation’s ethical, social
“
and environmental responsibility, whilst at the
same time putting money directly into practical
economic and SME development in Africa,
Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Rowan Watts
Managing Director, Majority World
© Shoeb Faruquee, Majority World 20