Photo Camp Stories : Our World Through the Lens of Young Photographers

For 20 years, National Geographic Photo Camps have brought together teens and young adults to experience a week of photography while being mentored by some of the most celebrated photographers in the world. The program is tailored expressly for the young people who most need a reprieve from such challenges as displacement, poverty, or other forms of strife. At first, the participants are characteristically reticent to expose their personal pain. But with coaching and community-building, they find their individual voices, articulating their fears and hopes in stunningly expressive photographs and deeply candid writing. This inspiring book of photography unfolds as a series of topical chapters, organised around issues such as identity, community, conviction, and creativity. With arresting visual content and poignant storytelling, it will deliver an authentic portrait of how large numbers of young people around the world really live, told by the young people themselves. Filled with over 250 images that span 20 years and more than 35 countries, as well as alumni profiles and essays, this compelling work conveys the raw yearnings of youth - and imparts enduring lessons for the future.

Featuring 250+ remarkable student images from more than 35 countries, this lush coffee table book celebrates 20 years of National Geographic’s legendary photo camp program, demonstrating the power of photography as a tool for self expression and change.

“Photo camp inspires kids to be explorers…to explore their own world in a deeper way and ultimately change all of our worlds.” – National Geographic Explorer Amy Toensing

“Now I can tell a story using pictures. I can now let the world know what is happening here.” – Bullen Chol, Photo Camp South Sudan

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For 20 years, National Geographic Photo Camps have brought together teens and young adults to experience a week of photography while being mentored by some of the most celebrated National Geographic Explorers and photographers in the world. With coaching and community-building, students gain confidence in their individual voices, articulating their dreams for the future and the challenges they face in stunningly expressive photographs and deeply candid writing.

This inspiring book of photography unfolds as a series of topical chapters, organized around themes such as community, identity, growth, inspiration, and hope. With arresting visual content and poignant storytelling, it delivers an authentic portrait of how large numbers of young people around the world see themselves and what matters most to them. Filled with 250+ images that span 20 years and more than 35 countries, as well as alumni profiles and essays, this compelling work conveys the raw yearnings of youth—and imparts enduring lessons for the future.