Support youth photography and storytelling for the next year in Southwest Detroit.
Young photographers have learned to use digital and film cameras, developed photographs in our community darkroom, created hundreds of free family portraits, and had their work featured in an exhibition and publication.
This year, we are expanding that work.
Through paid summer internships, workshops, photo walks, portrait studios, and darkroom sessions, youth will continue developing their creative and technical skills while providing meaningful services to their community.
We are inviting our community to help us raise $50,000 to ensure this programming continues and remains accessible to young people. With your support, youth photographers will:
Learn both digital and analog photography, including developing black-and-white film in our community darkroom
Attend exhibitions, photo walks, and workshops that strengthen technical skills and creative voice
Provide hundreds of free family portraits through Pop-Up Portrait Studios
Participate in paid summer internships focused on photography and storytelling
Design and print a professional-quality zine featuring their work.
Curate a public exhibition of their photography.
Build a body of work that contributes to the visual record of Southwest Detroit
This program is designed to create real opportunities for youth to earn income, develop skills, and contribute meaningfully to their community.
Community support ensures this work continues to grow and reach more young photographers this year and beyond.
Every contribution helps move this work forward!
What Your Gift Supports
Your support sustains paid youth opportunities, hands-on photography training, and free portrait services for Southwest Detroit families.
The iSWD Youth Photography Fund directly supports the tools, training, and opportunities that make this work possible. Each contribution helps sustain hands-on learning, paid youth opportunities, and free portrait services for the community.
$5,000 — One Pop-Up Portrait Studio
Supports a free community portrait day where youth participants photograph neighbors. Funds youth stipends and mentor support, along with printing, packaging, and materials. Each event serves 60–100 people, and every participant receives a free printed 5×7 portrait print.
$2,000 — Studio Tools and Infrastructure
Replaces one of our aging 2012 laptops and outdated software with a new MacBook and editing software membership. This provides essential tools that young photographers use daily for editing, archiving, and producing their work. Reliable tools ensure participants can fully develop their skills and complete projects with confidence.
$400 — One Darkroom Session
Supports a full darkroom experience for 8 youth, including camera use, film, paper, and chemistry. Participants learn to develop and print their own black-and-white photographs by hand, strengthening both technical skill and creative independence.
$250 — One Youth Workshop
Funds a hands-on photography and storytelling workshop for 8 youth participants. These sessions build technical ability while helping young photographers develop their voice and perspective.
$100 — Feed the Crew
Provides meals and refreshments for youth photographers and mentors during full-day workshops and summer programming, ensuring participants are supported and able to focus on their work.
$50 — One Family Portrait
Helps provide a free portrait session and printed photograph for one family or family member, created by youth photographers and shared as a lasting record.
