By: Erin Daniell, Photography Leadership Intern

Thrive D.C. is excited to announce a new project that clients have had the opportunity to join. In mid-May a photography workshop opened at Thrive, led by Whitney Joy Howard, a recent MSW graduate.

The project began in hopes of helping Thrive D.C. clients to capture what surrounds them in daily life through the use of disposable cameras. Whitney is working to raise awareness of homelessness by introducing people to a new, and not often seen, perspective. Workshop students met weekly to discuss aspects of photography and their own work. The group members quickly became very supportive and encouraging of each other’s work.

I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in workshops and the go on the field trip to the National Portrait Gallery.  I was excited to help clients with photography questions and give my input in critiques.  As I got to know each student seeing their photography gave me a fuller idea of who they were.  The group members excitedly reported their good feelings toward the project.

Student Experiences

Larry, a participant and avid illustrator, commented saying he liked the workshop because photography became a new tool for him and has allowed him to “discover new roots.” Matt, a student that enjoys photographing nature, said the workshop was “a great opportunity to explore the many facets of the city." He also notes that it is “a good program for people to pursue avenues they hadn't previously had the opportunity to pursue.”

Devonya, a group member that used photography as an outlet for self-discovery, said that at first she was wary to share this part of her life. However, through this project she has found that “by no means do our circumstances define who we are, at any given moment or time in our lives.” Whitney, the project coordinator, is very happy with how the group has evolved and grown over the past couple weeks.

See the Exhibit

The project is coming to an end very soon. However, not without an opportunity for the public to view the amazing work. The photos will be on display on the second floor of the Martin Luther King Library at 901 G St N.W. It is a block away from the Gallery Place Metro station. Stay tuned for announcements on when this exciting event will take place!