Elise Jacob was born in Montreal, where she still lives. Her first foray into artistic expression was through dance, which she practised for many years. It was around the mid-1990's that photography, little by little, started to play an essential role in her life. She began to study the art of photography at institutions such as Dawson College in Montreal and at the International Center of Photography in New York City.

A passionate traveller, there isn’t a single continent where she hasn’t set foot; and above all, explored with her camera. And it is when she travels that Elise’s rare ability reveals itself : the ability to connect deeply with the people she meets. This gives her portraits a quality – a truth – that is rare. Her subjects trust her and let their guard down. A simple smile, an attentive ear and a lot of respect, these are the keys that allow her to capture with her camera the joys and sorrows of the people she meets on her treks.

This photographer is, without contest, a woman with great heart, who is not scared to get involved in humanitarian efforts locally and internationally. This was how she came to give a photography workshop to a group of women in Afghanistan. Before that she volunteered with "Child Haven International" in Madras, India, where she organized after-school activities for children. She also spent some time volunteering with Mother Theresa’s mission in Calcutta, where she worked with the destitute and those with mental illness.

Elise’s photographs have been displayed publically before, most notably at an exposition in 1999 organized in benefit of Child Haven International. She also produced a calendar in 2000, entitled "A Message to our Children". "Under the Burka", presented at this time at the Padua Centre, is the first real exposition of her remarkable photographs. She shares with you here, her love for a country that fascinates her – Afghanistan.