Our Mission

Lens on Life Project is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, supporting photography and computer literacy training for youth around the world. By cooperating with local organizations, we build spaces to help students overcome trauma, grow artistically and gain skills to enter the global marketplace

Our Story

Our story began at home with a passion for photography fostered by our late mother, Bonni. We took inspiration from the photography gallery she founded in New York City in the 80s, and from a young age, we always had a camera in hand. Our father Dennis, a film director of fifty years, provided the technical guidance, and he instilled in us the confidence to go out with a camera and push boundaries to get the right image.

In 2016, we combined this passion for photography with our background in youth development and designed a photography curriculum for vulnerable youth in an easily-understandable format. The ultimate goal was to provide students with a path to empowerment through self-expression. We started with the basics—simple digital cameras and short but intense classes—and avoided overly technical or theoretical instruction that would detract from our goal: to help students use photography to engender both individual pride and community spirit.

Pilot projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Brooklyn revealed that students quickly solidified their identities—not just as photography students but also as working photographers, harnessing an entrepreneurial spirit. In the DRC, male participants began taking photos at weddings and local gatherings, translating their training into an income while helping to change their communities. In addition, female participants, many of whom targets of rape and domestic violence, defied gender stereotypes by utilizing photography as a means of empowerment and self-expression. Following these initial projects, we developed an introductory course for computer literacy with a focus on the skills needed to equip these youth for the changing environment and the twenty-first century job market.

Lens on Life continues to grow thanks to our supportive network of volunteers and partner organizations. We are eternally grateful for the opportunity to share our passion for photography with these incredible students, who, in the face of tremendous adversity, have created inspiring images that empower their peers and communities.

Regards,

“Lens on Life has succeeded in creating a ‘voice’ for marginalized youth to express themselves and brings into reality the ‘butterfly effect’ so often talked about – a small event in time that produces a sea-change in people’s lives.”

— Dr. Curt Rhodes, Questscope Founder & International Director