Save the Shaves
Donation protected
This will most likely shock you as it did me:
Hello, my name is Stephen Shaver. I'm a photojournalist / foreign correspondent. I just landed in Boston due to the situation I'll explain below. To the point: I need a hand after a truly unanticipated, harsh, bad ending to my 26 wild years covering all things in Asia, conflict, natural disasters and beyond.
This is my status: my identity and savings were stolen a few months ago when I was based in Beijing (under investigation), my news bureau (UPI) suddenly closed shop in China, then there’s the constant, not-so-vague anti-American vibes, the off-the-record warnings from both governments' personnel (China & U.S) to consider leaving China, the frequent harassment by the police and community leaders, the outbreak of covid and lockdowns in China, the visa issues with the Public Security Bureau (PSB) as an American correspondent...and then some. It couldn't have been a more epic, perfect storm.
So yes, I truly need a lifting hand to reboot and get started back here in the States. Had no choice but to rebase back to America with no savings, no job, no house...just a few close friends keeping me nourished and focused on moving forward. Translation: I deeply, profoundly could use some kindness to jumpstart this new, unexpected adventure and challenge...and the soon-to-come images I hope to start capturing in NYC and D.C. (and beyond). But I can not do it without support. This is very difficult for me, to ask for help...for those who know me and my generosity. I hope you think I am worth keeping around. And I've recently discovered a desire to teach some workshops...to help curious students with a roadmap on developing style and content. And to reinforce journalism ethics.
This is fundamentally as serious as it gets. It was impossible to anticipate this tornado of "now wtf do I do". And everyone gets a signed copy of my book-in-progress, "Tight and Wide - Getting Close." Believe it or not, I have no Plan B, unless someone wants a roommate who's also a chef. I'm trying to stay positive, but it is not so easy to push forward with nothing but my library of photos. Of course I have all my archives, which I'm very happy to inspire and share with everyone...my somewhat different approach to interpreting moments of life visually, emotionally and intimately. This keeps me grounded and positive on recovering from the various issues that hit me, hard.
The following link is important to understanding a bit about my life in China:
Covering China. https://fccchina.org/2022/01/31/media-freedoms-report-2021-locked-down-or-kicked-out/
And for those who don't know, this incident was fun (detained dozens of times in China): China Blames Photographer. http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/06/27/china.photographer/
..I'm one of the journalists in the story below:
Journalists for US media face possible expulsion from China: An organization of foreign correspondents says China is delaying the renewal of press cards for at least five journalists working at four U.S. media outlets
ByThe Associated Press
BEIJING -- China is delaying the renewal of press cards for at least five journalists working at four U.S. media outlets, an organization of foreign correspondents said Monday, making them vulnerable to expulsion in apparent retribution for Washington’s targeting of Chinese reporters working in the United States.
------
So just for a second, imagine if this happened to you tomorrow. You no longer have savings or a job. Just friends. And all this was way beyond your control.
My financial target for my GoFundMe goal is based on moving to either NYC or DC and getting whole (rent, food, replacing old, beat-up gear, misc bills, travel, phone, storage (everything was shipped to NYC from Beijing) and maybe a day of fishing.
If you know me, you know this will happen...just need seed money to get me back on my feet. This is hard, asking for help. And I'm not cool with asking for help. But now I understand the sting. Consider me an investment.
My passion remains unabated my friends and colleagues, I am not dead yet. Looking forward to sharing more images.
I’m always up for a phoner if anyone wants to have a lively chat about life.
Bests
Stephen Shaver (me)
https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/stephen-shaver?family=editorial&page=2&phrase=stephen%20shaver&sort=mostpopular
Organizer
STEPHEN SHAVER
Organizer
North Reading, MA