Summer 2021 - Jackson Heights, Queens

During the summer of 2021 with the support of the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation

and the Queens Council on the Arts, Back to the Lab hosted a free

photography workshop for teens in Queens. Students from the Jackson Heights and Elmhurst

areas ranging from the ages of 14-18 years old participated in a two week intensive beginner

photography workshop located at Forte Prep Academy. Led by photography teachers Sandra

Riaño and Salvador Espinoza, students learned how to use DSLRs, as well as photography

theory and history. Students also learned about the rich history of the communities of Jackson

Heights and Elmhurst from local photographers, organizations and activists. Throughout the

workshop students were led on tours of the neighborhood and had the opportunity to learn

about community gardens, workers’ collectives, small business owners and street vendors.

Using the photography skills they learned they set out to collectively document the

neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

Instructors: Sandra Riaño and Salvador Espinoza