PHOTOGRAPHY NOW IN PERSPECTIVE

An Alpha Ambassadors creative youth apprenticeship program

Why Photography?

Photography is one of the most accessible artistic mediums today.

Photography is visual communication.

You don’t need the fanciest camera to create beautiful images.

Photography teaches students practical skills about the world around them, from learning to interact with new people, to observing and learning about their community, neighborhoods and how they see and take it all in.

Our goals is to foster curiosity and develop vocational pathways through an intimate mentorship.

Our mentors are creative professionals with experience in marketing, artistic direction and execution.

About the Program

Alpha Ambassadors is an arts-based virtual apprenticeship for Brooklyn youth during the pandemic. Photography Now: In Perspective began in February, guiding 7 creative youth ages 13 - 18 through the fundamentals of photography. The young artists are Daniel Mitchell, Ava Marrero, Sean Copeland, Imani Dickens, Mikua Ferrer and Zachari Tonge. They participated in Zoom classes where they discovered the power of photography through digital and film form and also participated in studio sessions, gaining hands-on skills. They learned technical skills from their instructors, Rashida Zagon and Elena Mudd, such as lighting, composition, storyboarding and editing. They have also learned the current context and history of photography in Brooklyn and meeting guest speakers who are leaders in the industry.

The program had an entrepreneurial focus. Students worked with individual mentors like Shravya Kag, Pete Gibson, Shantanu Saha and Chris Cook to create a portfolio, website and present selected work to the public.

In Gratitude

We would like to give a special thanks to our incredible guest speakers: Mark Clennon, Jon Henry, Pete Gibson, and Dominick Lewis. They provided an immense amount of information, professional knowledge and guidance for our students.

We'd also like to thank all of the community who helped to fund this program, especially Dominick Lewis & Photodom, who provided film cameras and developing to the students, and the Butterfly Urban Grant, who sponsored our website and promotional fees. Our students participated in a photo walk through Brooklyn with an incredible community of photographers and artists, thank you to all who joined us for that photo-filled day.

Near the end of our program we had students pair up with individual mentors who provided constructive feedback, guidance and support to our students. Thank you so much Lisa Brown, Mark Clennon, Chris Cook, Pete Gibson, and Shravya Kag for your contribution to this program.

About the Teachers