Hilina Abebe - Women in Photography

Hilina Abebe by Marco Grob

Hilina Abebe is an Ethiopian photojournalist. Her background in Social Work and Journalism has given her grounding in recognising social injustices and staying with the story.

She has had her Portfolio reviewed by The New York Times and has been part of the World Press Photo East Africa Masterclass.

Influenced by her father’s photographs of the 60s and 70s, Hilina is dedicated to documenting Ethiopia and giving an awareness of its history to the outside world.

You were influenced by your Dad's black and white pictures of the 60's and 70's. Did you have access to his old cameras and how was your own journey into Photography?

From 'Portraying My Father' by Hilina Abebe

I didn’t know that my father still kept his cameras until after I started documenting his story in 2017. His images were very visible while I was growing up especially his family portraits. They were and still are fascinating to me because they made me see what existed at a certain time and place.

My relationship with images started when I was a kid. But I didn’t start to photograph until I was 25. I was working for a local non-profit, where I had to produce text and images for a quarterly newsletter. That period affirmed to me that photography is important to me.

Can you tell me a bit more about your Ethiopia in USA project?

Ethiopia in USA by Hilina Abebe

Ethiopia in the USA tries to show the connections Ethiopians make with their homeland and how their identity shapes them in the context of living outside of their county. As someone who has lived my whole life in Ethiopia, my very brief presence outside of it made me want to understand who they are and how they live. The stories I documented are mostly in Virginia, where many Ethiopians reside and where I was able to have access. I hope to continue working on this project.

You also document Ethiopians in Ethiopia - why is important to raise awareness of Ethiopia's history and its ongoing trajectory in your Photography?

Majorettes by Hilina Abebe

I think storytelling is quite common in the Ethiopian way of life. It often occurs orally or in other art forms such as performance art. However, photography’s existence in Ethiopia and its perception is a complex topic. Most of the stories documented about Ethiopia were done by Westerners. Some have been incomplete, others distorted for different reasons. I believe it is important to revisit these stories while also documenting a period in time- the present moment. To me, this offers a reference. I also think photography should have a role to play in creating understanding about people’s lives, and what affects their lives. Another factor that personally drives me is to try and show photography as equally important to storytelling and to try and re-build the mistrust around the camera and its purpose.

What was it like being part of the East Africa World Press Photo award?

It was very important to me to be around other storytellers from the region, to learn about their work, what drives them and to connect on issues that are common to us and how well we can try to overcome them. I think such spaces are important.

Why do you think it's important to stay with story - ie you've followed The Shoe Shine Story for six years?

The more you stay with a story, the more you have the opportunity to see it well and understand it better. So time is an important element in documenting a particular story over time. You will be able to show how it unfolds, what changes, what stays the same.

Your background is in Journalism and Social Work - how do you think this has helped your practice as a photographer?

Image by Hilina Abebe

I think the combination has helped me to be more aware of what is happening in my environment and how a number of factors are affecting people’s lives. I believe I am yet to show these issues that which are important to me, but also which I think need to be seen.

Who are some of your photographic contemporaries who you admire?

I find Ruddy Roye’s work relevant as he consistently discusses racial and socio-economic injustice. Not easy to pick but there are so many voices from the continent whose works I think are significant. Brian Otieno who is documenting stories of his community in Kibera, Kenya and Etinosa Yvonne who is addressing psychological trauma of survivors in Nigeria stand out.