About the Program

The Youth Photography Exchange is a six-month art program for youth (15-19) in Canada and Germany who explore storytelling through photography.

From October 2025 to February 2026, participants connected across borders, shared ideas, and created projects that reflect their unique perspectives.

Program Highlights:

Interactive workshops on photography and visual storytelling
Guided photo-walks in Victoria and online sessions
Cross-cultural partner projects between youth in Germany and Canada
Independent photo projects exploring personal and social themes
A final virtual exhibition open to an international audience
Featured photographs displayed at Culture, Identity & AI: An Art Exhibition, part of CREAN’s 11th Annual Cracks in the Concrete Conference

As the Youth Photography Exchange comes to a close, we are proud of the creativity, commitment, and connection participants brought to the program. Victoria-based participants will receive a $250 honorarium in recognition of their contributions.

The program concludes with youth developing photo stories based on core themes such as Home & Migration, Youth & Leadership, Traditions & Change, Environmental Justice, and Connection Across Distance, allowing each participant to express their experiences and identities through a creative lens.

Participants receive a certificate of completion and the opportunity to showcase their photographs in a virtual gallery.

Workshops: Exploring Visual Storytelling

Throughout the program, youth participated in a series of workshops, where they explored the foundations of visual storytelling — learning how composition, colour, angle, and lighting shape the emotions and narratives within an image.

During these sessions, they learned about techniques such as the rule of thirds, framing, and working intentionally with light. Participants also took part in brainstorming exercises, identity map-making activities, visual prompts, and shared reflection to develop ideas for their final photo submissions.

Photo Walks: Learning in Motion

Hands on learning has been a central part of this program! Photo Walks allowed the youth participants to practice seeing their surroundings through a creative lens, and reinforced the idea of photography as both a technical skill and a powerful tool for storytelling, reflection, and place-based learning.

Our first walk explored míqәn (“warmed by the sun”), known today as Beacon Hill Park, on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples. Youth worked with framing, leading lines, and the rule of thirds as they captured the beauty of the season.

On another recent walk, youth explored downtown Victoria, experimenting with creative ideas, and observing how natural light and urban spaces can influence an image.

Youth Photography Exchange Highlights

During this project, youth have explored themes of identity, justice, culture, and belonging — building connections across distance through shared creative practice. We are excited to share a few highlights from the youth participants’ work!

(from left to right, photos by Franka Kennedy, Marzia Akbari, and Sophia Nicole Aguilo)

Join us — Culture, Identity & AI: An Art Exhibition

We invite you to join us at Culture, Identity & AI: An Art Exhibition, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Victoria City Hall to celebrate and experience the final projects from CREAN’s Youth Photography Project.

Alongside other featured art, the exhibition will showcase powerful photo series created by the youth as they explore community, identity, belonging, and anti-racism — demonstrating how storytelling through photography can foster dialogue and reflection.

Get tickets to the exhibition here!

We are so thankful to the youth who participated in this program brought such passion, curiosity, and integrity to our their art and community!