The first University of Missouri Photo Workshop, in 1949, was referred to as an “experiment in photographic education.”  The director, Clifton C. Edom, had one rule:  “Show Truth With A Camera.”  No posing.  No manipulation of the facts.

Cliff was influenced by Lewis Hine, Jacob Riis and  the Farm Security Administration and their role in documenting social problems.  Since that time thousands of photojournalists have educated us about war, hunger, violence and abuse around the  world.

“Documentary photography”, wrote Cliff, “is the background, the roots, of modern photojournalism.”   He spoke of the necessity to keep up with new technologies, but he emphasized the importance of ethics in documenting society and contributing to social justice.

The Truth With a Camera Workshop was started in 1994 to continue the work of Cliff and Vi Edom. Dr. Vme Edom Smith, Director, brought together leading photojournalism instructors and photojournalists for a week of shooting, editing and designing. In 2008, The Edom Foundation partnered with what is now known as Re:Act Media to take the workshops in a new direction. Today students are immersed in a collaborative experience of shooting with their host country colleagues on topics related to work being carried out by NGOs and Nonprofits. At the end of the week students share their work with the NGOs and TWAC helps them to use the documentary stories to promote change.