New Lens and a Bridal Party

A New Lens

My desire is that 100% of what I make doing photo shoots goes directly to missions. I have decided to create a special campaign aside from my normal shoots with the goal of raising the funds to purchase a new wide-angle, prime lens that will improve my over-all quality of photography, allow more flexibility to photograph in new settings, and have new opportunities such as shooting indoor photography, larger groups in smaller room settings, newborns, and weddings. 

The ultimate goal is for greater flexibility in order to better meet the wants and expectations of those I photograph resulting in increased opportunities to give to missions.

You have until January 31st to make a pledge. My goal is to raise $1,300. Please click on this link to read more on this project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1094986642/new-year-special-help-support-joanna-hancock-photo

With this new lens, I'd have more opportunities to shoot photos like these:

2014

I very big THANK YOU to everyone who supported my photography and missions ventures. From sending me to Haiti to helping our friends, Joe and Felicity Congdon, prepare to join their team in Japan, you've been so generous and encouraging.
2015 brings some exciting changes: new editing software (Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5) and upcoming opportunities to improve photo quality!

Happy Anniversary

These photos make me incredibly happy! Their love for one another that was so apparent during the time I had with them. So thankful I got the chance to get these 1 year anniversary photos!

End It

Ministries for Trafficking:

http://worldrelief.org/Page.aspx?pid=3064

http://exoduscry.com/

http://stoptraffickfashion.com

http://daughtershouse.wordpress.com/resources/

http://magdalenestl.org/

http://www.gems-girls.org/get-involved http://www.gems-girls.org/about/research-resources

http://www.somaly.org/

http://www.love146.org/

http://www.thea21campaign.org/

http://3strandsglobal.com/index.cfm?pID=3331

http://www.worldvision.org/our-impact/child-protection

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/

http://run2rescue.com/faq.html

http://www.hagarusa.org/

Love Alone is Worth the Fight

Ways to Fight Trafficking (adapted from various sources including: http://projectrescue.com/5-ways-you-can-fight-sexual-slavery/)

Learn

-Read articles about trafficking occurring in Missouri, the US, and overseas
-Read book on trafficking. I personally can recommend these books: Half the Sky:Turning Opression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. "Girls Like Us" by Rachel Lloyd. "Passport through Darkness" By Kimberly L Smith. Terrify No More by Gary Haugen.

-Watch a documentary on trafficking. 

-Read in the Bible what God has to say about justice and the oppressed

Pray

-Set aside time to pray for those in slavery

-Organize a prayer group

Give

-Support and/or fund-raise for a ministry that fights trafficking through prevention, rescue, and after-care. 

-Host a fund-raise party where people can buy products that vulnerable women make to help prevent trafficking

-Sponsor a child who is vulnerable to being trafficked

Serve/Educate

-Tell your friends, family, church, etc. about what you have learned about trafficking

-Host a documentary night or a book study 

-Get involved with organizations that fight trafficking

-Learn how to identify victims of sexual slavery and trafficking from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Rescue & Restore Campaign.

-Lobby Politicians

Not for Sale

The Problem( source: http://courageworldwide.org/the-problem/)

"Police and government agencies report they have seen the phenomenon of child sex trafficking increase tenfold over the last two years, and the abuse is still on the rise. The internet is being used as a tool to sell children for sex. There are countless ads that offer “erotic services” with juveniles photographed in the ads. This problem is wide-spread and the ease of use and secrecy of the internet furthers the hidden nature of this crime. Police report that vicious pimp circuits and organized crime rings exist that force children and teenagers into sexual exploitation. Police are successfully uncovering and prosecuting the perpetrators of this crime. The greatest factor in promoting child sex trafficking and child sexual exploitation is the demand for younger and younger victims. Most women in prostitution are trafficked into the sex industry as children. Worldwide, the average age of entrance into prostitution is 13.” 

"Children exploited through prostitution report they typically are given a quota by their trafficker/pimp of 10 to 15 buyers per night…Utilizing a conservative estimate, a domestic minor sex trafficking victim …would be raped by 6,000 buyers during the course of her victimization through prostitution."

For more information on human and sex trafficking click on this link:  http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/human-trafficking/