Student Voices

Excerpts from Photo Camp Student Evaluations

It gave me a chance to experience photojournalism first hand from the professionals. It’s like everything was real and not sugar-coated. And it kinda shined a light for my future. Through this camp, my eyes have opened to a new world. I’ve learned to be more curious.
– Lesley, NYC ‘04

This experience made me realize really how great this city is and how much beauty dwells in it… it was a unique insight for me.
– Jack, Annapolis ‘05

These photographers challenged me, made me ask more questions and forced me to see everyday things in new ways.
– Colwin, Annapolis ‘05

This camp and the teachers inspired me. Photography is a way of saying what your heart is seeing and gets other people to think about emotion and the soul. I have opened my eyes to new dreams.
– Donald, Annapolis ‘05

This camp is something that will never happen again. That’s the only bad part. I’m going to take more pictures now that I know how to make one instead of just getting lucky. Plus, I get to carry this around with me for the rest of my life. National Geographic. Wow.
– Jemila, New Orleans ‘06

Photo Camp was valuable to me because of the fact that I lost my home during Katrina. A lot of people don’t understand that trauma, so making these photos allowed me to show that.
– Jannae, New Orleans ‘06

This camp was very character building and it gave me more insight … It also gave me a release to share my opinion and views on my experience of Katrina.
– Bayley, New Orleans ‘06

I have a new way of seeing people, places, events, and many other things now… Sam Abell’s talk was very inspiring because I realized the way that photographers see things and how different their perspective is from others.
– Robert, New Orleans ‘06

This program helped me understand my city better. Going out and photographing New Orleans helped me understand its beauty.
– Ana, New Orleans ‘06

This Photo Camp has honestly been a defining moment of my life. Besides simply learning how to handle a camera, I learned how I had to watch and perceive the world. No one can learn that just anywhere. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.
– Benjamin, New Orleans ‘06

Photo Camp was extremely valuable to me. I loved the combination of knowledge and fun. It hurts that it’s my last day & I wish that I could do this for the rest of the year. During this period of time I had trouble sleeping because I was so excited about the next day.
– Alex, New Orleans ‘06

YES! I see the world so differently now. Small nuances that I never saw jump out at me. I wonder to myself, “How many life moments have I missed prior to this Photo Camp?” I was a photographer for four days, and given the opportunity to try and capture the essence of humanity. Wow.
– Brittany, Washington DC ‘06

This camp is a precious jewel that will always be guarded by me. I’ve learned so much about people and places. It is fascinating to know that programs like this still exist! I think a lot of youth fail to seize opportunities like this so they close down.
– Bennisha, Washington DC ‘06

This experience made me a braver person. With each picture I took I got a feeling of self-confidence.
- Stephen, Washington, DC ‘06

It was a lovely course that made us value what we have but don’t realize.
– Guadalupe, Oaxaca ‘07

I experienced something more than what I was expecting, or could even imagine. I was able to value my community more.
– Esperanza, Oaxaca ‘07

Thank you for the Photo Camp. It will be always in my heart. It’s something that I never forget: people, time, and place. I never forget you, Sam Abell, Jim Webb and Lelen Robert. You are now in my heart. I every day remember about Photo Camp, and sometimes tears go on my cheeks (I cry), because the Photo Camp is over. And I think how it was wonderful time in my life, that I ever had.
– Konstantin, Erie ‘07