Lens on Life Project

Our talented students in Cameroon 🇨🇲 are hard at work preparing their final projects for Young People Programme! 🌍🎓 With a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, they’re capturing powerful stories and perspectives through their unique lenses.

These young photographers are not only honing their skills but also amplifying voices and issues that matter most to their communities. Stay tuned to witness the incredible creativity and impact of their work! 🌟

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🌍 On this , we had the honor of welcoming to spend the day with our NY students at the esteemed . From his roots in Brooklyn to becoming a celebrated wildlife photographer, honoree, and Explorer, George’s story is a testament to passion and perseverance.

After a lecture, we ventured into Central Park, where George guided our students in capturing the beauty of nature. We can’t wait to see the results!🌱📸

📸✨ Today, our class in the Bronx had the incredible opportunity to welcome renowned photographer !

Gillian shared her journey and her photography from across the world. Her powerful images highlight how photography can draw people closer and discuss important issues. Thank you, Gillian! 🙌📸

🌟 Our New York students had an amazing experience visiting yesterday! 📸 They explored incredible photography collections and got some new inspo for their upcoming projects. Thanks for hosting us and sharing your passion for the art of photography! 📸✨

Yesterday, the amazingly talented joined us in the to talk about his journey into photography and his work.

Inspired by Richard’s series , we jumped right in to taking our own portraits! We can’t wait to share some of the images 📸

It was an honor to showcase photographs taken by our students in the on Capitol Hill 🇺🇸last weeek alongside our partner and .

The exhibit draws attention to issues in the Eastern Congo while capturing positive change within a region often characterized by conflict. This US premier follows our exhibition earlier this year at 🇨🇩

It was great to speak with policy makers about our work in the region, challenges, and our hope for a better future in the . Stay tuned for details on the next American exhibition soon! 📸

🌍✨ Today, on World Refugee Day, we celebrate the resilience, courage, and strength of refugees around the globe. At Lens on Life Project, we are honored to stand with our incredible refugee students and teachers who inspire us every day with their stories and perseverance.

Let’s continue to amplify their voices and work together towards a more inclusive and compassionate world. Together, we can make a difference. 📸💫

We’re so excited to introduce the #2024 Lens on Life class in the in partnership with . This new group hails from across the five burroughs and will spend six months with their teacher (pictured left) and other professionals in the field as they develop their portfolios in preparation for an exhibit in the fall.

A huge thanks to for supporting this work in 🗽🍎

We’re so excited to introduce the #2024 Lens on Life class in the in partnership with . This new group hails from across the five burroughs and will spend six months with their teacher (pictured left) and other professionals in the field as they develop their skills in preparation for an exhibit in the fall.

A huge thanks to for supporting our work in !

Yesterday was an epic day for alumni of our program with and our Iraq program teacher .

We were invited to speak at the Youth Artist Exchange at where alumni Tyreese, Suki and Elijah talked about their work and their journeys to become photographers. Nig shared work and testimonials from our students in Iraq and Cameroon, highlighting the healing power of photography across cultures and borders.

We’re so proud of our alumni and students!

Today was a special day in the big apple🍎

Our Iraq program teacher spoke on a panel at the Fashion and Lifestyle Annual Meeting where she discussed the important role of integrating the into creative education 😂

New students and alumni from our Bronx program joined the event to learn from important leaders and innovators in this space 🤓🇺🇳

Today our students from the Arbat camp in Iraqi Kurdistan joined teacher at the amazing to check out “Zozan,” an exhibit featuring work from Kurdish and European artists 📸

Thanks for having us Esta!

On Wednesdays and all days, we

Happy 📸

“🗞️ Today, we celebrate ! 📰✨ Press freedom is not just a privilege, it’s a cornerstone of democracy and ensures that voices are heard, truths are uncovered, and accountability prevails. From our alumni working in the field, to our teachers providing skills to the next generation, their dedication keeps us informed and empowered. Let’s honor their courage and commitment by defending their right to report without fear or censorship. 🌐📣”

This week, we head to Zaatari camp in Jordan where we are working with on an exciting 📸In this image, student Kholoud Al Rifai highlights the importance of 3 (good health and well being)💪

In Kholoud’s words, “In Zaatari, there are wonderful stories of girls who love football and enjoy playing it. There is a special strength in playing ball…it is an opportunity for her to express herself and develop her athletic skills. I wish her much happiness and success in her journey in the world of football!”

A huge congrats to our amazing intern for opening her thesis exhibit at . The Lens on Life team is so proud of you MJ!👏👏

If you’re in Baltimore, check it out at Meyerhoff Gallery until April 28th 📸

Student Spotlight ⭐️ 📸

Today, we highlight the powerful work of Iraq program student

Hussein’s image captures a young boy in front of the rubble of a destroyed house in Hussein’s hometown in Syria. The word “freedom” is written on the exterior wall. Hussein took this image as part and of an ongoing project highlighting the impact that war can have on youth access to education. Hussein fled Syria when he was just about to start school, and an education was not accessible for him. Through his work, he hopes to highlight this issue that has become commonplace for so many young people across our world today.

Join us tomorrow in Goma as we open our third exhibit at alongside our partners !

“Through the Lens of Tomorrow” features photographs taken by Congolese students trained by Lens on Life/Camme RDC in collaboration with who are now working with Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) and their partners. From intimate portraits of human connections to grandiose landscapes, these young photographers elevate the captivating stories of their communities and offer an authentic and rare look at daily life in eastern Congo. Each photo is a visual story inviting viewers to meet innovators, dreamers and doers who are transforming their communities in unique ways. This locally-led work is supported by ECI, whose fundamental belief is that the world’s most complex challenges will be solved by those who tackle them.

The exhibition not only showcases the talent of these students, but also offers a unique perspective on positive change and progress in a region often characterized by conflict. “Through the Lens of Tomorrow” seeks to inspire positive change and a sense of pride within the communities photographed while encouraging continued support for photography initiatives and advancement of the in the region.

Thanks 🙏 to for inviting members of our team to tell the Lens on Life story 📸 in front of a great audience in the .

Our partnership with Canon across the 🌍 is key 🔑 to our success as we strive to train and equip the next generation of young storytellers

On this we celebrate the incredible women of Lens on Life, from our donors to our staff and students. Happy !

This , we want to acknowledge the incredible young women who are part of the Lens on Life family across the 🌎 making history as photographers 📸

to our first student graduation in Cameroon in collaboration with 📸

Stay tuned for some big updates from Yaoundé soon as we expand our work in 🇨🇲

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As part of our collaboration with , Lens on Life students in Zaatari refugee camp are taking to the streets to capture images that focus on what the mean to them 🇺🇳

Stay tuned as we share powerful photos taken by students in Zaatari soon!

Watching Lens on Life alumni across the 🌍 continue to flourish makes it all worth it. Shout out to classmates and for landing a 6 month internship with where they are learning the essentials of the film industry in . Keep it up guys! 🎬🎥🎞️

coming from our NYC alumna Suekanya Maeks who shares what means to her.

We have a new intern!

is a Baltimore based photographer whose work focuses on documentary practices within contemporary and historical geopolitical issues. He received his BFA from in 2023 in Photography & Humanistic Studies with honors and the ‘23 Meyers Traveling Fellowship. His latest body of work brought him to Nicaragua and Colombia focusing on American Intervention and Latino boyhood. Welcome to Lens on Life Cameron!

Today is a big day for us in Iraqi Kurdistan as our second mobile classroom arrived at the Arbat refugee camp. Over the next couple of weeks, this new space will be outfitted with equipment to serve as a lecture space and workshop room. Stay tuned! 📚📸💪

NYC alumni helping kick off by telling us what this special month means to him 💪🏿

Even in the dead of winter, is still stylin’🗽🍎❄️

📸 from alumni in Harlem

A huge welcome to DR Congo instructor 🙌🇨🇩

Michel will be in NY for the next week meeting with our 🇺🇸team, partners and our NY program students. Even though he’ll have a busy schedule, we can’t wait to show him some of the best that New York has to offer🗽🍎