During the Spring and Summer of 2022, students from different parts of the city participated in Red Hook Community Justice Center’s photography program. For twelve weeks students learned to use their cameras and editing software as well as how to develop short term photo projects. Students were given the choice to work on projects that interested them and the results are intimate peeks into their lives and environments that are vital to them and their communities. These projects address such topics as the growing trash problem in Red Hook, notions of home and families, the importance of fashion, community building and more.
Through sharing their projects at different stages during the class, students were able to gain a deeper understanding of their classmates’ interests and surroundings. As the final classes approached, students worked collectively to strengthen their individual projects in order to present these stories to the public. Together, they present an exhibit that is rooted in familiarity but gives us all new ways to look at our daily surroundings.