“In a war, the normal codes of civilized behavior are suspended. It would be unthinkable in so called normal life, to go into someone’s home, where the family is grieving over the death of a loved one, and spend long moments photographing them. It simply wouldn’t be done.”

Kathleen Hennessy is the Director of Photography at the San Francisco Chronicle and has just joined PhotoPhilanthropy as the Activist Award Director for 2010.

I asked her everything that came rushing into my head. What is your editing process like? And how do you think photography creates social change? And what advice do you have for people submitting photo essays to PhotoPhilanthropy? Here’s what she said.

Potosi, Bolivia Miners: 5 Centuries Deep is a photo documentary project that aims to explore the changing face of the mining community and mining industry in Potosi, Bolivia. Photographer Irina Zhorov hopes to bring more awareness to the situation of the miners, the surrounding towns, and the economic implications of foreign ownership.

The sport-for-good community isn’t using cameras to display celebrity lives and high-profile action shots; this community is much more interested in documenting how we can use sports as an agent for social change. Young people, photographers, athletes, and activists are coming together to show how they “sport for good.”

A recent photo essay on the new burn magazine website creatively portrays the life of a girl diagnosed with diabetes.

In 2009, the founders of Collective Lens will travel to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia to showcase the cultures, issues, and charitable organizations of third world countries. No matter where you live, there are many stereotypes and assumptions about other cultures that often prohibit one’s ability to make a personal connection. By showing the differences and similarities between cultures, we believe that more people will be encouraged to reach out to their neighbors across the globe.

Yes, it’s that time of year where we all take a look back and contemplate on the future. A number of magazines and websites have come up with their own versions of “the best photos of 2008″ and we have to agree that there are some terrific photos out there.

The UNHCR has partnered with Ben Affleck to bring awareness to the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The public is encouraged to share the short film and photos of the living conditions of the refugees in order to help raise money and awareness of the humanitarian crisis.

Street Photography is often characterized as a snapshot in time of a chaotic street scene. However, it doesn’t always need to be on a street, and the principles of capturing a candid situation can be applied to any number of locations. Likewise, when creating a photo essay, Street Photography techniques can be used to capture a photo that conveys a summary of the situation at hand.

Are you a teacher hoping to get your students excited about photography and involved in a good cause? Collective Lens is reaching out to classrooms in an effort to get youth excited about photojournalism and social change.