A PHOTO STORYTELLING PROJECT WITH
YOUTH IN APPALACHIAN OHIO.

Being A Teen Ain’t Easy is a project that was designed and implemented while I was working with The Athens Photographic Project, a community non-profit that has worked with individuals with mental health conditions in Southern Ohio for more than 18 years. I am grateful for its guidance, support and reputation working with communities in the region, without which I would not have been able to work with teenagers living with mental health conditions and engaged in Juvenile Court. 

Project phases. (1) Tools for storytelling to understand the power of stories, to discover visual storytelling beyond merely taking a pretty picture, to explore the different ways of seeing, and to understand the cultural impact of photography in a historical context. (2) Meaning making focused on making sense of the photographs and materials produced while strengthening the learned techniques and building our vision as photographers. (3) Youth-led art exhibit which focused on curating, branding and organizing an art exhibit for members of the Athens community.

Being a Teen Ain’t Easy Book. It includes self-portraits and photographs with moving testimonies by young people from Appalachian Ohio. Stories about high school and the arts. Friendship and love. The court system and foster care. And other experiences, good and bad. It also includes the pedagogical approach used during the project, field notes from the facilitator, and key insights that emerged.