Local photographer riding 9,000 miles for survivors of sex trafficking

Medford, Ore. — A Rogue Valley photographer’s mission is empowering women through photos, but her newest project is focusing on a specific group of women- who are also survivors.

When Lauren Trantham picked up a camera professionally 3 years ago, she knew the pictures had potential to be powerful.

“I did a photo-shoot myself and I was really surprised by the results,” Lauren Trantham says, “I looked at the photos and I thought, ‘holy cow that’s me?'”

“I realized I could do that for other women.” Trantham adds.

What’s followed is a successful business, that’s centered more around the person than the picture.

“It becomes a realization that they are beautiful, and that’s how the world sees them, and that’s how their loved ones see them as well.”

But her next project, is likely her biggest, riding 9,000 miles to photograph survivors of sex trafficking.

“I’ll start here in Southern Oregon, and I’ll go up towards Seattle and then basically straight across to New York City, down to Florida, then across to Los Angeles and back up.”

Trantham has partnered with the Rebecca Bender Initiative to raise money along the way. Their goal is to raise $60,000 dollars so that more survivors can receive support and education in the initiative’s online program.

“It’s gonna take me 2 months, so it’s a really big project, a big endeavor but I’m really excited.”

And when she returns, Trantham says she’ll pick up right where she left off, encouraging women to embrace who they are one click at a time.

“It’s a big joy of mine,” Trantham says, “I’m very passionate about what I do and I can’t wait to pick up with my clients when I return in the fall.”

Trantham leaves Saturday, September 3rd, but her “Ride My Road” campaign kicks off September 2nd at the Schneider Museum in Ashland. You can follow here journey and donate by visiting HERE.