Help Emma Livestream!

Hi friends! As many of you know I have been a photographer for about ten years (since right around when my first child was born in 2011) and began dabbling in photojournalism around 2015 as a means to give back and be involved in causes that I care about. Since then I have started documenting all kinds of things regardless of a personal connection in some cases because it's really important to have actual people, not big corporations, documenting what's happening around them and telling the truth about it even if I don't happen to agree.

Almost one year ago the Twin Cities area was rocked by yet another police murder which was ultimately felt not only around the country but around the world. Inspired by friends of mine that travel the country and the world to livestream, I started livestreaming what I was seeing the first day I found myself outside of the third precinct in Minneapolis. Since then there hasn't been a day that I don't also livestream when I am photographing an event. I remember mid-summer it was unusual - everyone thought that I was something of a documentary journalist superhero - but since that time so many of my friends and colleagues have also picked up their phones along with their cameras. Still images are important but so is video, especially live video.

By livestreaming we make events accessible to those that cannot make it but still want to be involved. We also help keep people safe by livestreaming when the police are being violent or when there are altercations between different groups. Unfortunately those are the times that view counts go up but I'm always still there with my cameras and phones even when there are only two people watching from home. It's important to document history regardless of how many people are watching in real time.

Likely because of the non-stop use of my phone in this way it's in rough shape. I have considered getting a new battery put in as it only lasts about 30 minutes while streaming right now but lately the connection just kind of sucks too. A livestream that is jumpy, starts and stops often, and doesn't even work at all is useful to no one.

I created this fundraiser because I could use some help getting a better phone as well as some different equipment that will improve the quality of my livestreams and take them to a more professional level.

I am asking for $1800 to help me do this. Once in a blue moon I sell an image or two or some video footage but this isn't common and isn't my goal anyway. But that means I need to rely on support from my friends, family, and supporters like you. The equipment total comes to $1710 - I rounded up for shipping. For the sake of transparency I want to be completely clear on what I am seeking to acquire:

- Phone: $1399 (biggest size because I want to record live video directly to my phone too in case the powers that be take a livestream down)

- Case: $37 (this case comes with cold shoe bits so I can attach things with ease)

- Light: $70 (because who likes watching a livestream that's just.... dark)

- Diffuser: $5

- Microphone: $59 (I had high hopes for my current mic but it's just not working out and doesn't work with a case)

- Adapter for mic: $9 (because iPhone - *eyeroll*)

- Mixer: $87 (to improve sound levels when speakers are quite or the music is too loud)

- Magnetic battery: $30 (because it's nearly impossible to plug in a mic and a battery at the same time)

- Weights to put on monopod: $10 (I prefer a monopod for easy movement while marching but it's not so stable)

- Straps: $7 (because lose cords are not only annoying.. they can be dangerous, too)

In the event that I exceed this goal, anything raised above and beyond will be used to cover the cost of sending in my most often used lenses and camera bodies for cleaning/repair. They've seen better days. One camera body is missing a button. One lens zooms on its own.

Thank to everyone that is able to support me and share this campaign. We all have a role to play during this moment in history. Some of us can be boots on the ground and some of us can't. I am committed to being in the streets and documenting what I see in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Washington DC, and beyond and I thank you so much for your support.