Emphas.is is based on the premise that the audience is still interested in photography, says Karim Ben Khelifa, co-founder of the crowdfunding platform.

Despite declining sales and commissions, photojournalists continue to risk their lives to report on the events and stories that impact us all. Some have turned towards new funding models, appealing directly to their audiences to help bring their projects to fruition.

Emphas.is believes in high-quality photojournalism. The platform, which launched earlier this month, offers photographers a place to pitch an idea for a story, present the budget, and – if they receive the necessary funds – keep in touch with backers with exclusive updates and early access to the work. BJP is backing the initiative as a media partner, and will be supporting one of Emphas.is’ projects each month.

This month, we’re presenting Matt Eich’s work – Sin & Salvation in Baptist Town. Started in April 2010, the project centres on the Baptist Town neighbourhood of Greenwood, Mississippi. “The 500 or so residents live in a pocket of poverty, crime and violence that is cut off on all sides by train tracks – barely separated from a comparatively affluent white community,” says Eich. “The short time I have been able to spend with the residents has been punctuated by celebrations, evictions, murders, births, fights, strokes, and a myriad of other experiences ranging from joyful to heartbreaking that sum up the chaos of this place.”

Sin & Salvation in Baptist Town is the beginning of a two-part examination of contemporary race and class disparities in the Mississippi Delta town of Greenwood. The Luceo Images photographer plans to bring an exhibition of the work created to Baptist Town and the more affluent white communities that surround it.

“The crowd-funding concept isn’t new, but Emphas.is offers a platform that will hopefully be a well-curated selection of projects to avoid the over-saturation that people are beginning to feel with places like Kickstarter,” Eich tells BJP. “It certainly won’t be a silver bullet that will fund all projects, but if photographers are thoughtful about how they approach this model it can offer a significant channel of support for long-term bodies of work.”

Beyond Eich’s project, 11 other photographers – including Tomas van Houtryve, Guillaume Herbaut and Christoph Bangert – are also appealing for support as part of Emphas.is’ launch line-up.

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