Teen Photo Workshop Leads to McKinley Park Exhibition

In collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the Coalition for a Better Chinese-American Community (CBCAC) trained youth photographers in McKinley Park over two Saturday sessions on August 14 and 21, 2021.

"Our goal is to highlight the beauty of the natural areas within McKinley Park," said Vivian Zhang, CBCAC's outreach coordinator.

"This class is meant to be accessible to photographers of all skill levels," Zhang said, also noting that it focuses on "the elements of composition in nature photography."

The first class, on Saturday, August 14, received instruction from photographer Rebecca Memoli. Lucy Gomez-Fellciano from The Nature Conservancy taught the second class on Saturday, August 21.

Exhibition This Saturday

Photographers brought whatever device they wished to use to take pictures, Zhang said, including mobile devices. The course offered one-on-one mentoring, a nature tour and group critique; the second session also looked at identifying native species using the iNaturalist service.

Participants received a gift card for submitting their work, and all photographers received a print they can take home, too, Zhang said.

The program culminates in a Teen Photography Exhibition from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 4, 2021, at the McKinley Park field house, 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago. All are invited to view the teen photographers' work, Zhang said, and the photos will remain up after the exhibition for viewing, too.

Photos provided courtesy of the CBCAC.