First Exposures is a nationally recognized youth photography and mentoring program in the San Francisco Bay Area.

First Exposures fosters the academic and social development of youth impacted by social and economic inequity by providing an accessible space to enhance their self-confidence, develop their creativity, and gain a passion for learning. They offer youth ages 11-18 the opportunity to learn photography in a community-based setting with support from a photographer who serves as both a mentor and a positive adult role model.

I was a mentor, working 1:1 with four young people during my first ten years with First Exposures. Then, I was lucky enough to step into the instructor position and lead the film photography class from Fall 2019 - Spring 2023.