Develop!

Today’s teens are navigating a world that is much more sophisticated than one any previous generations had to deal with. Living in a visually oriented, social media based society, not only do they face perceived criticism and scrutiny on a global scale at the time in their life when they are most vulnerable to those feelings, but there is no way to ‘turn it off’. Add in living through a Pandemic, gun violence in schools, and changing gender identities, today’s teens are experiencing a sense of isolation, body image and self esteem issues, cyber-bullying, and anxiety and depression, more than any other generation.

Teens frequently don’t have the words or communication skills to process the challenges they face on a daily basis. Through the use of photography, they can explore these issues in a creative outlet, allowing for expression of emotions that can lead to conversations they may not know how to start any other way.  

Combining my experience as both a professional photographer and life coach, I bring together these tools to create a program where they can learn self-expression, increase self-esteem, improve communication skills, build leadership skills, and experience inclusive community. Together these will help instill the courage and self-expression they need to build their dreams and step into a life they desire.