Telling Stories with Photos is a photo workshop, led by photographer Aneesah Dryver, that allows youth to visually tell their own stories about their lives, to remember, and to create meaning. The workshop reviews works from past and contemporary photographers like Gordon Parks, Jamel Shabazz, and Britanni Sensabaugh and discusses their storytelling techniques. 

The youth were asked the question, “Why do you take pictures?” Their responses ranged from the preservation of memory, keeping special moments with them forever, and to help cope with the things happening around them. For 4 weeks, the youth were equipped with their own cameras as they captured friends, teachers, and meaningful moments. 

Thank you to students Marco, Brooklyn, Ahmilah, Genesis, Jasai, Laila, Katelynn andZIyon who took the time to tell the story of their curiosity, the people in their lives, and themselves. And many thanks to the East Oakland Youth Development Center for continuing to provide the youth space for their art.