“World leaders could learn from these interfaith couples."
– headline of Toronto Star article about INTERLOVE project published on Feb 5, 2015.
The INTERLOVE PROJECT arose from Shafer's interest in using portraiture to create a dialogue around important social issues, particularly, how religious differences often lead to tension on an individual and global level. By exploring the complexities of interfaith love, Shafer hopes to demonstrate that in a world full of stories of hate, stories of love can prevail. Shafer photographed over fifty interfaith couples from across Ontario, with each portrait taken at a location that is meaningful to them – from a cafe where they had their first date, to a park where they take their children. Coupling each portrait with the story of how they met, fell in love, and overcame difficult obstacles and decisions; this unique series captures the tremendous potential of love in transcending religious differences.
This project has been exhibited at CONTACT Photography Festival and featured widely in the media including CTV, CBC, Global News, the Toronto Star and Toronto Life.