Double the experience when traveling! While in Jordan for a GAP Adventures trip, I brought along Foto and the printer. Taking and immediately printing out pictures allowed another level of interaction with local Jordanians. Everyone can practice this most basic form of giving back or voluntourism…sharing through the power of photography! I was able to introduce the project to our entire travel group and 2 members indicated they will be taking Dog Meets World on their next trip.

Phodographer Carolyn Lane in Jubba, Jordan January 2010

This young school girl in northern Jordan is thrilled that foreign visitors took the time to photograph her and then handed her a tangible image to keep as permanent affirmation. Photography is something to which everyone can relate, and using photos as a medium for understanding and connection is a powerful platform. Photo diplomacy is the new way to interact with local cultures for everyone. Become a phodographer.

Petra Jordan has been designated one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Petra among the ruins of ancient civilization dating from the first century, the carved rock facade make it seem as if time has stood still for thousands of years. These young Bedouin girls posed with Foto the dog and the modern camera captured the moment making this time stand still too. Sharing photography is truly sharing and preserving moments in time.

New phodographer Christie has taken multiple volunteer vacations. She liked participating in Dog Meets World as it was easy to add to her travels and gave her an enjoyable entree to interact with the local Jordanian children. The kids were completely inquisitive about the portable printer and thrilled to get their pictures.

Article in The Jordan Times this week quotes an expert on voluntourism says “There is a need not only to take something back home, but to leave something behind” and voluntourism caters to “those who would like to leave a lasting impression on the community they visit“. Practicing Dog Meets World and photo sharing is a simple, easy and gratifying way to leave something of value behind when traveling in places of need. This photo is from such an exchange while DMW founder Carolyn Lane was visiting a school in Jordan with her sister Christie Smith and with the help of humanitarian aid workers Mike and Linda Boyd and Jordanian Emile Khoury.