
Digital Promotoras: Action
The Las Fotos Project students of the Digital Promotoras: Action class employed a variety of storytelling techniques to spark change and calls to action. Through photojournalism, portraiture, and editorial layouts, the students provided their point of view and took a stance on issues that matter to them.
Some students documented their neighborhoods’ signage, murals, houseless population, gentrification, public transportation, and other public spaces to reflect on how they are used by local businesses, redevelopers, street vendors, and community members. Other students gave light to invisible or quiet issues like mental health, depression, eating disorders. Some photographs capture body politics, concepts of beauty, and gender roles. The students bravely commented on important topics that affect society, and the entire world, hoping to increase human connectedness and continue fighting for tolerance, social justice, and equity.
These Digital Promotoras are young students, artists, activists, and advocates for the causes they care about. Their individual works are not only visually captivating, but they also serve a greater purpose to provide a sense of urgency. They ask their viewers to reflect on their privilege, daily habits, and relationships with others and their surroundings.
FEATURING
Andrea Aguilar, 17
Cj Calica, 16
Eztli De Jesus, 14
Gabriela Salazar, 17
Kayla Jackson, 16
Marlene Cach, 17
McKenna Blackshire, 17
Mia Peña, 16
Nayzeth Madrigal, 14
Sawyer Sarinana, 13
Sonaya Vazquez-Wright, 16
TEACHING ARTIST
Leah Hubbard
MENTORS
Alicia Ramirez
Brittany Bravo
Leah Choi
Nicole Maturo
Salina Canizalez
Stella Chung
Tammie Valer
Andrea Aguilar

About Me:
Over the years I have been known as a shy person with people I don’t really know, but after the beauty pageant I took part in to raise money for people in Mexico, I broke out of my shell. I love to watch anime and sometimes draw out the characters. Documentaries also hold a special place in my heart because they teach me beyond what school teaches me. I also really enjoy looking at the sky when the clouds look soft and the colors dance around them. The beach brings me so much comfort and it’s been my second home since I got here.
I am very passionate about school, more specifically math. I am a strong supporter of young activism and I try to educate those who have little to no knowledge on world issues. Music has had a huge impact in my life and I also see that as art because it’s the opposite of a picture; you are told a story and you paint the picture. I love spending time with my loved one especially when we go on hikes!
About my project: #WhatsYourLA
Reach for the Stars.
“I dreamt recently
that a girl fell from the top of
a skyscraper so tall
by the time she collided with
the concrete below,
they had already told her
she would not make it.”
S Kim Nguyen, March 8.
The one with the tall building and the man. The buildings stand tall and proud. The sun kisses your skin as you take a walk around the city. What is not to love about it?
Diamonds Dancing. The camera flashes our eyes and keeps us from looking at the real picture. Downtown LA has been my home for the last 13 years of my life, but it does not feel the same anymore.
Where are you? From city to city, state to state, gentrification grows and grows. With the rise of the pandemic economic issues come with it. More and more people are losing their place and their memories. The love I have for my city is unexplainable, but there is no love when the city I grew up in has changed, and the community has no love.
The City of Angeles. To live and die in LA.
Unseen Truth. “Los Angeles and Los Angeles County ranked No. 2 for the highest number of people (7,876) experiencing family homelessness. More than 1 in 5 people experiencing homelessness in 2018 were either in New York City or Los Angeles.” (US News, 2019). This is overlooked, but why? Why is it that we choose to drop thousands and sometimes millions of dollars to rebuild and remodel places that don’t need that remodeling? Why is it that people only choose to see the beauty and not the madness?

CJ Calica

About Me:
Hi! I am a Junior attending Glendale High School. My preferred pronouns are she/her. My interests include editorial photography, The Walking Dead, flower arrangement and cake decorating. As a personal goal of mine, I would like to create available resources for young women in provinces in the Philippines, providing sustainable options for femine products and teaching them the dangers of keeping tampons in for a long period of time. My initial goal is to teach these women about safe, clean options for their period and the dangers of whitening cream, by creating groups to create a safe area for women, young and old can come in and receive safer alternatives for their body.
What I hope to learn and accomplish with learning from Las Fotos is to learn more about photography and how I can use this knowledge to spread awareness about topics I feel strongly for. I also would like to create valuable knowledge and gain experience from women who are currently working with photography. I hope that one day more and more girls will learn about this opportunity and are able to join to harness the power to create something beautiful. I hope being a part of this community I will be able to learn more about myself and to also get to know the amazing people in this program!
About my project: Hover to the right of my bio & click on the arrow (or swipe on mobile) to read more about my project, #BreakingGenderRoles
About my Project:
#BreakingGenderRoles
My target topic entails gender roles and how it affects the image of young women, men, and non-binary people around us. While I was working on this project, I had faced a struggle with trying to shoot with my friends due to COVID-19. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to complete my project due to not having any models for my pictures. Interestingly, Tammie, my mentor, suggested using my family members instead.
During the process, I learned a lot about the struggles my parents had overcome when they were young. I realized that my parents and I were more alike than I had initially thought. When looking at my photos, I want the viewer to feel as they are looking at someone’s story— not a general representation of the topic, but a story, on how gender roles have affected the model. Knowing someone in the process of a transition, I realized how damaging being “missed gendered” can affect someone of that circumstance.
It is my utmost desire to showcase how it is so easy to accept things rather than deny their existence. For some of my images, I chose to shoot my parents, by not taking regular pictures of them but just by reversing the roles. I also took photos of my sister because I wanted to convey the deep underlying effects that can result from gender norms and not fitting the “standard.” I sincerely hope I created images for someone to feel understood. I wanted to create these photos for someone special to me so I can show my support to her during this crucial time. The simple actions I want other people to take when seeing my photos and reading my writing is that using someone’s pronouns correctly is important, and to always remember to ask before assuming.
Point of View 1. When taking these images, I had my main focus on creating grim and gray emotions throughout the photo.
Be Me 2. I felt that being able to look up to parents from a different perspective and a standpoint of that they don’t feel constricted to their gender identity, we can inspire my family members and have someone they can feel they can look up too.
Point of View 2. I wanted to showcase how empty will could feel on not being able to live up to the standards of what everyone expects us to be, and the confusion on yourself on gender identity can affect your wellbeing and mental health.
Be Me 1. For these images, I had my parents dress as one another and pose for pictures. I was so surprised at how much they loved the experience.

Eztli de Jesus

About Me:
Hi! I am 14 years old. I love to dance and want to be an actress in the future. I can be very shy at first but eventually after some time, I will open up to you. I love to help others and be there for my friends when they need me. I have always been inspired by my mom because she is an amazing woman of color, always fighting for equality, has gone through so much trauma, and is just so strong. I am very friendly and supportive towards everyone. This is my first time doing photography and I am so excited to learn as much as I possibly can.
About my Project:
#COVIDMentalHealthDiaries
For my last photo project, I chose the topic of mental health during this worldwide pandemic. I chose this topic because I know that I and lots of others have been struggling with our mental health and having to quarantine and do everything virtually. I hope my audience experiences joy and curiosity when reading about my work and looking at my photos. I hope that they remember how important it is to do things to take care of your mental health, especially in these difficult times. Your mental health matters!! I have learned so much during the making of this project. One of those main things is learning the different ways that people in my family take care of their mental health. I have learned different ways to capture a story in photos and how to work a camera too!
The Joy of Plants, 1. This photograph was taken on Día de Los Muertos. I asked my mom if she could sit on our porch and hold her flowers for me. My mom loves flowers and plants because they bring her joy! Taking care of her plants helps distract herself from stress throughout the days.
The Beauty of Books, 1. I have recently gotten back into reading during the quarantine. I have discovered that reading is one of my favorite things to do. I have read about 12 books since we have headed back into school. Reading is my way of keeping my mental health healthy because I escape into a world of beautiful words and images and can relax.
The Joy of Plants, 2. When I took this photo, I tried to capture a moment of proudness and joy. The woman in this photo is my mother, who loves to grow her plants. It brings her joy, especially during these times. When she showed me the roots that had grown she said, “The roots are a revolutionary act because gardening makes me feel free.”
The Beauty of Books, 2. As well as myself, my 9-year-old brother and little cousin like to read! They love comics and books with drawings! I love seeing them laugh at what they’re reading because they look so happy, and I know the feeling of experiencing joy through books.
The Joy of Plants, 3. His beautiful woman is a family friend, Martha. She started her little garden in the beginning of quarantine and now it has grown so big! She has grown some of her food now, and is holding up one of her squashes. Gardening is a new hobby she has discovered that helps her release anxiety and stress.
Misa Amane Cosplay. This is my cousin Matoi! (Their pronouns are they/them.) They love to cosplay, and I had a mini photo shoot with them. They love cosplaying because it makes them feel safe and free. This is their way of relieving stress and anxiety and a way for them to express themselves. I think that’s beautiful!
A Day for a Walk. My dad, brother, and I went on a walk this day just so that we could go out into the fresh air and get out of the house. Even though our trips to the park aren’t the same as before the pandemic, we still like to go out for walks with our masks on through the park. It feels great to be outside instead of in front of our computers and screens. It’s a stress reliever.

Gabriela Salazar

About Me:
I live in Los Angeles and I am 17 years old. The beach and art have always had a special place in my heart. Since I was a baby, my family has always made time to go to the beach and to this day it remains my favorite place to go. Growing up with parents who studied culinary arts, cooking has been a significant part of my life and one of my favorite hobbies. Being in the kitchen has also influenced my many interests, some of them including my profound passion for ceramics and my love for bringing change to my community.
Spending my time volunteering to put together care packages for the unhoused and others in need has taught me about the various issues in our community. This has encouraged me to join the Las Fotos Project and spread awareness on these matters. I am hoping to go to law school and become an immigration lawyer. After that, I intend to pursue a career in the culinary arts. Being an inquisitive and adventurous person, I also want to travel around the world and continue to meet new people and learn about different cultures and issues people are facing.
About my project: Hover to the right of my bio & click on the arrow (or swipe on mobile) to read more about my project, #ShowWorkersSupport
About my Project:
#ShowWorkersSupport
My topic is about how small businesses were economically impacted by COVID-19. The photos showcase small business owners working in their vacant shops, struggling to stay afloat in these challenging times.
Part of my project also focuses on how overlooked farmworkers are, especially in a demand-based industry that was severely impacted by COVID-19. It is crucial to understand the severity of the situation that encompasses small businesses. Small businesses contribute to local economies by bringing growth and innovation to communities and neighborhoods. By providing employment opportunities to nearly half of the private sector workforce, they are the backbone of the U.S economy. It is also necessary to take into consideration that these businesses are often run by families or individuals who rely on them as their only source of income. Many of these businesses are also permanently shutting down, affecting others who relied on them for their product.
During the winter, 90% of America’s produce came from California. That alone demonstrates how essential these workers are. However, the recent regulations caused trade issues with China, which no longer imports Californian produce. This decrease in demand resulted in the displacement of thousands of farmworkers. For instance, the Coachella Valley, which used to maintain 60,000 farmworkers, is now down to 20,000. The 5 million units of grapes they had once produced has decreased to a million units of grapes. In addition, the fires that occurred during the summer negatively affected workers due to the smog that engulfed the Central Valley. In addition, COVID-19 has prevented thousands of workers from going into the fields in fear of catching the virus and putting their families at risk. Despite this, they still managed to feed us.
Although taking pictures of small businesses wasn’t much of a challenge because of their abundance in LA, many things had to be taken into consideration. For instance, asking for permission to take pictures of the workers can lead to a lot of rejections and if they do allow it, making them feel comfortable can be awkward, especially if they’re strangers. Sometimes the owners would be busy, making it difficult to capture shots because the last thing I wanted was to be in their way. Most importantly, being out in a pandemic was risky. Because of this, I had to be careful every step of the way. As I took pictures of small businesses I noticed a huge difference compared to big corporations. A small business will get fewer customers than usual or none at all, whereas big corporations will always have lines of customers waiting for them. Working on this project I was also able to interview a small business worker and farmworker to learn about how impacted they were. I have taken my pictures to capture how desolated these shops are because of COVID. All the workers presented have struggled throughout the pandemic, worried that they would either have to permanently close down their business or be laid off. I wanted others to see my images and feel as if they are actively witnessing these people work and envision the vacant shop these workers see almost every day. I hope that these images would make others want to support these workers and think twice about where they would get their next meal or make their next purchase. Taking these pictures at Delano Farm was not something everyone has the chance to do, so I wanted to take the audience into the farm and show how hard these farmworkers are working in the field despite all the circumstances they face. It is important for the audience to acknowledge what these essential workers do. And I hope that with these images, people are reminded of where all our food comes from and be appreciative of all their work.
There are various ways to help out your local businesses during COVID-19. Most importantly, consider which ones you can buy produce from instead of those you would normally get from a big corporation. Most small businesses have discounted their items to attract clientele and by taking advantage of these discounts you will also be supporting these shops. However, it is understandable that during these trying times not everyone can afford this, so making an active effort to follow and share the posts of these businesses can also benefit them as you are raising awareness and encouraging your followers to check them out. Simply leaving a good review of the place will also help the owner as it will attract potential customers.
As for the farmworkers, acknowledging and being appreciative of all their work goes a long way. You can also help by buying produce from California to prevent any more farms from closing. By doing these things you are supporting farmworkers from home.
Beauty Salons in the Pandemic. Lynda’s Nail Salon. October 2020. Lucy is working for the first time since quarantine started. Her business partners Nancy and Helen had not returned because they were vulnerable. Lucy was able to keep her shop open for 6 weeks before closing down again.
Large Chains Continue to Prosper. Trader Joe’s. October 2020 While small businesses struggle, grocery store chain, Trader Joe’s continues to succeed with a line of customers out their doors.
Floral Art by Mia. October 2020. Although business is slow, Mia tries to keep busy by tending to her shop. She has discounted a majority of her plants in hopes to attract potential customers.
Farmworkers in the Pandemic. Delano Farm, CA. November 2020 Despite the conditions and the pandemic, farmworkers continue to feed us.
Raffalo’s Pizza. October 2020. Before the pandemic, Raffalo’s used to be located at Fountain but unfortunately their building burnt down so they moved to Santa Monica Blvd in Los Angeles. Now with the pandemic, they are struggling even more to get back on their feet. Here, we see two customers dining outdoors abiding to the COVID dining restrictions.
1739 Public House Restaurant. November 2020. The restaurant employee is setting up the outdoor dining tables as part of the COVID dining restrictions which don’t allow indoor dining.
Eduardo Salazar. 1739 Public House. November 2020. I had interviewed Eduardo, who is a worker at 1739 Public House, and asked him how the pandemic impacted him personally. “The pandemic has affected everyone who works in a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, or any small businesses. Before coronavirus, I had a normal life, now I can’t even see my family, work, or do anything. There is nobody working and money is going down the drain. The funny part is that the restaurant I work at is closed but, the bill keeps coming. We need to pay rent, pay our food, pay our bills, insurance, and everything else. I don’t know how we’re going to survive this pandemic.”
Delano Farm’s Foreman. Delano Farm, CA. November 2020. I interviewed one of the foremen and asked who had been most impacted by COVID-19. Translated from Spanish: “Especially parents because of their children. There are people who did not come to work all season because there was no one to take care of the children since the daycares were closed. It affected that, and people who did not come out of fear, and sick people who had other kinds of problems, making them the most vulnerable. Economically, we were also most affected because many of these people did not receive incentives since they do not have papers, but here they are working.”
Talking to the Workers. Delano Farm, CA. November 2020. At the farm, I had met Modesta and Lucia who were close friends. Modesta, (on the left) had stated that she doesn’t receive much company working in the field, and that is why she was grateful to see new faces and meet new people. Lucia, on the other hand, explained to me how she wanted her kids to learn English but with classes online, this became difficult to do.
Picking Grapes. Delano Farm, CA. November, 2020. Is there anything else you’d like others to know? Translated from Spanish: “Look, once a group of people came with big cameras to make films and they began to interview me. I told them that the only thing I would like is for this to reach the governors so that they see how we work in the fields, and how hard they work to bring food to the stores. In the oranges, everything citrus, and all agricultural work so that they see who really works because here it’s about the time, the dust, and the chemicals. They are exposed to everything and are the ones who are the ones least taken into account.”

Kayla Jackson

About Me:
Hola! I am a 16-year-old artist living in Los Angeles and tackling my junior year at Culver City High School. Growing up in an urban community has both taught and inspired me. Through my work, I try to uplift hidden or misrepresented aspects of history and show their lingering impacts on our current culture. I am an activist at heart and love sharing stories through multiple visual mediums. My work attempts to document all aspects of life in Los Angeles, from the streets to museums and spaces with great sentimental value to me. I hope to continue expressing myself through art and find a career that allows me the space to do that.
About my Project:
#OwnTheChange
This series of photos focuses on gentrification — specifically in the View Park/Hyde Park area. Gentrification is a highly contentious process that often changes the character of a neighborhood by bringing in more affluent residents and displacing the lower-income residents who have lived there, often for generations, due to increases in the cost of living. I chose this subject because I live in an area that’s in the process of being gentrified. Seeing my culture-rich community change into a place that no longer seems to have space for our street vendors and independent businesses is a heartbreaking experience. This project is a love letter to my home, and I hope viewers walk away being more aware of what we lose when communities are gentrified.
Coming Home to Leimert. Nestled at the foot of Baldwin Hills, Leimert Park remains one of the few areas in Los Angeles where African Americans make up a significant majority of the population. The mainly residential community was developed in the 1920s and, as of 2008, was home to more than 12,000 residents, according to the Los Angeles Department of City Planning. The community’s population, outside of being nearly 80% African American, also tends to be older and less wealthy than the rest of Los Angeles County.
Batson’s Fine Laundering & Dry Cleaning. Operated in the area for more than a century before closing last year. Former owner Sammy Spera said in an interview with Cleaner & Launderer that he decided to retire due to rising costs of running the business and declining revenues. His is just one of many independent businesses that have closed in recent years.
The House on Long Street. This single-family home was built in 1946, according to property records, and is similar to others in the South Los Angeles area. But, with property values skyrocketing as new stadiums and businesses come into the area, several residents are struggling to stay in their homes. According to a 2018 UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Study, the average home price in the South L.A. area is triple what it was in 1960 when adjusted for inflation.
The Community’s Super Hero Street Vendor. And it’s not just businesses with storefronts that have been impacted in recent years. Street vendors, who are members of the community in their own right, have also seen declining sales and rising expenses — driving many to find other locations to sell their wares or stopping their business altogether.
Carniceria La Chiquita. For more than two decades, a husband and wife team has been running this taqueria. Despite rising property and business taxes, and the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple says they will continue feeding locals from their shop.
Woman of the Community. Janet, my mother, bought a home in the area in 2009. Throughout the past 11 years, she has seen firsthand how our neighborhood has changed. My mother said, while she’s happy money is being invested into the community, she’s upset about the lack of thought that has gone into the renovation projects, such as the new Metro Los Angeles stop, which is being built above ground. She believes that those living in the community should have more of a say in changes before they are made.
Future Martin Luther King Jr. Station. Metro Los Angeles is creating a new train stop in the area, part of the city’s new Crenshaw/LAX light rail line. While community members are happy to have another mode of transportation, many worry about the possibility of further gentrification and displacement and wonder if the decision was made with the community’s best interest in mind.
The Construction Begins. Construction workers have started street and sidewalk rehabilitation projects across the street from the new station. While the community is happy the work is being done, they contend it should not have taken the promise of a new train station and increased foot traffic to provide residents safe and walkable sidewalks and roads free of potholes.
Notice of Public Hearing. With all of the work done in the community, signs like these have become more and more common as future construction continues to move forward at an alarming pace. For each of these signs, and subsequent meetings, discussing the next multimillion-dollar project, residents wonder how much longer they’ll be able to afford to stay.
The Community Fights Back. Despite the changes being forced upon the community, those who live here refuse to go down without a fight for what matters to them— their neighbors. While residents are always happy to see investment in the area, they don’t want those investments done without support to make sure people aren’t pushed out of their homes.

Marlene Cach

About Me:
I am currently a senior, preparing for college. I live in a humble home with my parents and I am a Latina. Being Latina is hard in America especially when we don’t have enough justice. I am an activist, my passion is to help people get justice. I am not an artist, but I do love it when people show their artwork they always have a deep meaning to their lives or any meaning. I am a hard-working student who strives for knowledge because knowledge is power. I want to gain experience to become a better leader as I grow. For me I work hard to get where I am, it’s not easy but it pays off in the end. I also love to work with people from different backgrounds because I love to connect with them or learn more from them.
About my Project:
#HardWorkingStreetVendors
In this project, I was able to connect with street vendors and appreciate their hard work. I hope that my audience gets to appreciate the hard work these street vendors put into their lives. I learned that many street vendors put their time and effort to get customers and reach their goals.
One Small Street. There was a swap meet right in front of LACC. Unfortunately, it was shut-down due to COVID-19. It has impacted street vendors who always sell in the street because they had to give up their spots for the new street vendors that used to be part of the swap meet. Ever since then, the street is always crowded.

McKenna Blackshire

About Me:
I am a multi-cultural, Queer woman who lives in Los Angeles, California, with my mom who inspires me greatly. My passions include art and activism. I’ve been heavily involved in social justice and identity-based work for the majority of my life. In the last couple of years, I’ve participated in school leadership groups promoting equity and tolerance, and I’ve worked with organizations such as New Ground and Seeds of Peace. I’m currently a peer advocate for Planned Parenthood, working on a video series I created called We Look Like This, acting as a film writer for an online publication called Unpublished Zine, and running my school’s Cinema Club. In the future, I hope to head East and become a filmmaker. I want to create stories grounded in authenticity that celebrate all the little things that make us who we are, as well as all the things that connect us as human beings.
About my Project:
#WeLookLikeThis
I am focusing on intersectional identities, specifically how we represent the various components of our identities through our appearances. There aren’t many authentic portrayals of individuals from marginalized communities in any aspect of our society, but especially within art. So, with my photography, I wanted to capture women of color as they simply exist, because our lives are a testament to resilience and we are brimming with potential. I want my audience to feel a connection to my photos in a very simple human sense — each of us have things, whether it be the shape of our nose or a piece of jewelry, that make us who we are. There is so much importance in the recognition that there is so much beauty in both everything that makes us different and everything that makes us similar.
Maribélla Muñoz-Jimenez, 1. Victory Park, October, 2020. “I love my cultures’ music and food as well as the sense of community it offers.”
Kaylee Young, 1. Memorial Park, November, 2020. “One thing I absolutely admire about my culture is the sense of community. Even though I don’t get to see my family very often, I always feel connected to them through our culture.”
Maribélla Muñoz-Jimenez, 2. Victory Park, October, 2020. Maribélla is Latina-American with family from Nicaragua, Colombia, and Mexico. When asked what she felt physically represented her culture, she explained the color red and hoop-earrings seemed to be the perfect testament to her heritage.
Kaylee Young, 2. Memorial Park, November, 2020. “I believe diverse representation is so so important because intersectionality is everywhere and we need to understand that people have a lot of overlapping similarities.”
Maribélla Muñoz-Jimenez, 3. Victory Park, October, 2020. “There can’t be a “cookie-cutter” representation of any single culture — a culture is a group of different people, not just one individual.”
Kaylee Young, 3. Memorial Park, November, 2020. Women of Color are often made to feel as though we cannot express our emotions without judgment. Furthermore, in many of our cultures, we are taught women must be submissive and neutral. With Kaylee, I hoped to capture an honest variety of emotions in response to such a notion.
Bailey Dickinson, 1. Victory Park, October, 2020. “Since my mom and my aunt grew up in the United States and I’m biracial, we don’t feel very connected to our Korean culture overall. However, I really love how food, more specifically, Korean BBQ, brings my family closer together and connects us to our roots.”

Mia
Peña

About Me:
I am a 15-year-old junior at Gertz Ressler High School in Los Angeles who loves art and photography. My work is influenced by a desire to inform and spread awareness about societal issues and effect change in my community. My dream is to become a photographer for National Geographic and share photos from around the world. I also want to start my own business — though I’m not sure what kind of business because I am passionate about many things — and be able to contribute to society. And while I can be a bit shy when first meeting people, I am very outspoken and love to learn and share ideas with other people. I am inspired by my older sister to continue working toward my goals and being a strong, independent woman, and am proud of the work I have done at my school — including the creation of our yearbook. I joined the Las Fotos Project in an effort to improve my skills as a photographer and better understand how to create compelling messages through still images.
About My Project:
Through these photographs, I am aiming to show the financial burden placed on women to exist comfortably in the world — from beauty and wellness to essential feminine hygiene products. I want my viewers to come away from the project with a better understanding of how much effort, money, and time goes into the simple act of existing as a woman. I want viewers to be compelled to connect with and support women — many of whom struggle to afford medically essential feminine hygiene products — by pushing for increased free access to these products in public places. If you’d like to help make feminine hygiene products more accessible to women in California, please add your name to this petition: http://chng.it/ytg2w4CYKM
Decisions, Decisions. For teens like Aroche, staying on top of the latest trends is more than a desire — it’s a crucial part of feeling accepted. The options for women’s clothing are limitless and always changing, making choosing the perfect outfit an often time-consuming process.
Halfway Ready. Aroche stares at her complexion after finishing her skincare routine. And while her face is cleaned, moisturized, and protected from the sun, she is still not quite ready to go out in public.
Pink Tax. Studies show that products, even those used by all genders, cost more if they are the color pink — a color traditionally meant for girls and women. And while women might prefer certain skincare brands, those that have male equivalents still tend to charge women more.
What to choose? She now has to choose an outfit from her closet. But even this is a task. She not only has to make sure that the outfit she chooses is comfortable but also makes her feel good about herself.
I’m Running Out. Valeria Aroche, 14, faces the same struggles of most other teen girls — periods, acne, and finding the perfect outfit. For her, skincare products are a necessity to feel like she is putting her best face forward.
Almost Ready. But it’s not just the purchasing of these products themselves. It’s the items you need to use those products. From cotton swabs and pads to makeup applicators, tweezers, and eyelash curlers, the cost of application is almost as much as the products themselves.
Move Out The Way. For women in society, there is an expectation that they are presentable at all times. From face and body cleansers to pads and tampons, the number of products women need to live in our society has skyrocketed over the years. And while the products women use might seem excessive compared to those used by men, men are not under the constant pressure to always look their best.
Always. For many women, the sheer number of options for feminine hygiene products can be overwhelming. All of the pads — ultimately designed to more comfortably allow women to participate in society while menstruating — come at different price points and provide huge profits for the companies that make them. And, despite being a medically necessary product, pads and tampons are still taxed as regular retail items adding to the expense for women.
Check-Out. Aroche, while at the store for feminine hygiene products, also realized that she needed more skincare products with hers running out. And while men are often able to get away with one product, women are generally unable to be that carefree due to hormonal changes that impact their skin differently — an experience they’d likely want to check-out of if they could.
The Cost of Being a Woman. All women are beautiful and incredible in their own right — something nobody can take away from them. But the cost and time it takes for women to feel like they’re comfortable, cared for, and presentable is something that not everyone understands. Aroche hopes that as she gets older, it will be easier for women to be themselves.

Nayzeth Madrigal

About Me:
I am Hispanic and I’m 14 years old. I live in Lincoln Heights with my parents and my two siblings. My future goal is to go to college and help my little brother with his future studies. The way I would describe my photography to a stranger is that it may be graphic and kind of rated R. What I like about being a photographer is the process of taking the photograph because I normally have an ideal picture I want to shoot. After taking a few ideal photographs, I go with the flow and add new ideas. I make art because it tells a story without using words. My current goal with Las Fotos is to help others understand and not to disrespect mental health. This sensitive topic is important because I have been in contact with multiple people with mental illness and I didn’t know how to help them.
About my Project:
#LetsTalkMentalHealth (CW: depression, medication, addiction, eating disorders)
My topic is mental health. I’m covering most of the different types of depression, etc. I wanted to show that there are many types of mental disorders and what they mean. I think this topic is important because mental illness is common, and lots of people are shy to speak out and talk about it. People should care about this topic because he plays a big part in some people’s lives. What I learned about this topic was that everyone has a different type of symptom to mental health. Also, so many types of reactions, and there are so many lifelong treatments for this illness. I want people to view my images to feel ok that this what is happening and it common. I want people to come out and tell me about their experience with mental health. The action I want to take is to help people understand it more and to people aware that mental health is a big part of society.
I’m Fine. What is depression? Depression is a disorder that causes one to feel sad and feel like losing interest in the world. This disorder usually requires long term treatment. Most people with this disorder might seek therapy/psychotherapy to learn how to deal with depression and feel better.
PTSD. What is post-traumatic stress disorder? This is a disorder caused by a traumatizing experience. Its acronym is PTSD— PTSD can last months or years. The symptoms of PTSD is a nightmare or flashbacks of the experience. The disorder includes anxiety and depression and heightened reactions.
The Fear of Food. What is Anorexia Nervosa? Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder where someone fears gaining weight. This photo shows what someone diagnosed with this Anorexia Nervosa might face when planning to eat – reading calories and nutrition information.
Nothing is There. Depression symptoms are very different for everyone. Depression can be scary and overwhelming. Some people self-medicate, or as shown in the photo, people with this disorder might self-harm themself. If feeling down and might risk of self-harm, please call the suicide hotline (800)273-8255
I want to be skinny I want to be PERFECT. Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder of people who are in fear of gaining weight. People with this specific illness are below healthy weight. People with this illness usually check all food calories to make sure it’s not a lot of calories. Another related disorder is Bulimia Nervosa. This disorder can be dangerous(life-threatening). Bulimia nervosa is a mental illness unwarranted fear of gain weight.
I Think I’m Lost. Most of the time, some disorders like depression and bipolar make you feel lost in the world. Feel so far from reality. It’s like being in a dark corner.
Pills Are Everywhere I See. People with mental illness may be able to improve their condition with prescribed medication. With all disorders, it can often get overwhelming to take many prescribed pills every day. If you or someone you know gets overwhelmed instead of taking your medication, make sure someone can help you get and take the pills.
I Just Can’t At Times. What is bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is formally called manic depression. The effect of this illness is mood swings, also adding emotional highs and lows. Also reducing sleep and loss of touch in reality. When realizing Patients with this illness using the treatment, most of the treatment is lifelong. If someone you love is going through this visit, https://dmh.lacounty.gov/get-help-now/

Sawyer Sarinana

About Me:
Hi! My name is Sawyer (she/her). I’m 13 years old, a 9th grader, born and raised in Echo Park. From a young age, I’ve had a love for reading and stories— no matter where I was, I always had a book by my side. Starting journalism and later photography allowed me to tell stories of my own. Researching what I care about and capturing moments around me lead me to be immersed in my community and think more critically. I apply critical thinking and community involvement to many aspects of life, especially when navigating daily issues. By seeing the work of other photographers, I’ve started to develop a style of my own. Breaking into myself this year through photography and writing has made me more educated, passionate, and active. Other than literature and photography, I engage in social justice in my community and like to listen to music.
About my Project:
#TheSpaceAroundUs
My goal for this project is for viewers to be more conscious of their public space. In a fast-paced city like Los Angeles, it’s normal to rush by without noticing details. Ironically, during these past few months of quarantine, I’ve wanted to go out and explore more, and I’ve learned to be more conscious of the world around me. Navigating the streets with more awareness can put us in touch with the area around us. When we can appreciate the ground we step on and the spaces between, our idea of how we should treat our environment are magnified into something greater than ourselves. I hope that by looking at and thinking about these photos, viewers choose to go outside and notice the details of the city they live in.
SHOOZ. The same setting, the same item, but infinitely different uses. To some, the shoes may be their rent, but to someone else, it’s just another donation.
DODGERSS. The street can bring all kinds of things together. When the Dodgers won the World Series, fans flooded Sunset Boulevard with smoke and music, and even through the chaos, the roads became a place to celebrate as a collective.

Sonaya Vazquez-Wright

About Me:
I am a Junior at Westridge. I am 16 and I’ve lived in Highland Park for most of my life with my family. I love nature and being creative in any way I can. I enjoy going on hikes, sewing, baking and cooking, and taking photos. I am constantly searching for new skills to learn and love immersing myself in projects.
I have always been very interested in photography and started to explore it last summer when my mom gave me her old film camera. I then took a class in school where I learned to develop and print my photos, falling even more in love with photography and the process. I love that photography is a way to capture important moments and memories. One dream of mine is to become a behavioral neuroscientist researcher and professor. The brain has always interested me because there is so much still to learn about how it works, how it affects us, and how it makes us who we are.
Hover to the right of my bio & click on the arrow (or swipe on mobile) to read more about my project, #ParksForAll
About my Project:
#ParksForAll
My images center around the topics of park equity and green spaces in and around the Los Angeles area. Although the number of parks in Los Angeles and their accessibility to the residence is increasing, it’s statistically lacking in parks and green spaces. In an article written from kcet.org. titled “Los Angeles is Short on Parks, Ranking 74th Out of 100 Cities” they explain that “According to the County Department of Parks and Recreation, Los Angeles has a median of 3.3 acres of park space per 1,000 people, well below the median of 6.8 acres per 1,000 people in other high-density U.S. cities”.
Looking even deeper, there’s a significant difference in the maintenance, quality, and accessibility of parks depending on the area. Low-income communities and communities of color have disproportionately fewer parks in their neighborhoods, as the standard ratio is 4 acres of parks per every 1,000 people. In predominantly African American neighborhoods, that number is decreased to 1.7 acres of green space per 1,000 people. In Latino communities, there are only 0.6 acres per 1,000 people and in Asian American communities just 0.3 per 1,000 people. This disparity is a direct result of “policies, laws, and practices that have segregated communities along racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines.” according to lacountyparkneeds.org.
Communities that live close to mountains and hills are also most benefited by the park system compared to communities in flatter parts of the city. Having safe, clean, and usable green spaces is a privilege, but it shouldn’t be! These areas are essential and valuable to all communities, as they are “vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in a community, ensuring the health of families and youth, and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and a region.” according to a document written by the National Recreation and Park Association titled “Why Parks and Recreation are Essential Public Services”.
With Covid, the need for parks increases because they are one of the only places people can go outside and still maintain a safe distance from others. These issues are even more magnified with a stay at home orders and closures of most parks. Being a resident of Los Angeles for all of my life, this issue is very important to me and the communities around me. Through the process of taking these photos, I was able to reflect on how parks have impacted my life, and I hope that the viewer can do this as well.
Sources
https://la.curbed.com/2018/5/24/17386174/los-angeles-parks-score-2018, https://lacountyparkneeds.org/parkfacts, https://downtownla.com/maps/arts-and-entertainment/parks-and-green-spaces, https://www.preventioninstitute.org/projects/park-equity, https://www.nrpa.org/uploadedFiles/nrpa.org/Advocacy/Resources/Parks-Recreation-Essential-Public-Services-January-2010.pdf , https://www.laparks.org, https://www.kcet.org/shows/neighborhood-data-for-social-change/los-angeles-is-short-on-parks-ranking-74th-out-of-100
San Pasqual Park, Oct, 2020. San Pasqual Park sits next to the line between Highland Park and South Pasadena, on the Highland Park side. Highland Park is prominently Latinx and has an average household income of $45,478. Although there were some people at the park, no kids were playing on the climbing structure. In the last year or two, this park has been updated, and this jungle gym is one addition.
Lacy Park, Oct, 2020. This photo depicts a man riding his bike along the bike lane that wraps around Lacy Park in San Marino. This park is 30-acres and has tennis courts, a bike/walking path, a playground, a garden, a large field, and many grass sitting areas. Lacy Park is located in the center of San Marino, which is predominantly white and has an average household income of $131,758.
San Pasqual Park, December, 2020. This photo depicts a sign describing the guidelines of the park. Masks and social distancing are required to keep all patrons of the park safe and protected.
Lacy Park, Oct, 2020. In this photo, of a Lacrosse practice, you can get a better understanding of the green space and the parking space in general.
Arroyo Park, Oct, 2020. It sits next to the line between Highland Park and South Pasadena, on the South Pasadena side. South Pasadena is predominantly white and has an average household income of $85,058. This photo centers around two girls who are playing in the jungle gym with masks. While all were wearing masks, the park was busy and full of kids and parents. There was even soccer practice happening on the empty baseball field next to the park.
Arroyo Park, December, 2020. Two months later, COVID cases have risen, and the once busy park is now closed. You can still sit on the grass and enjoy the outside, but only one family is picnicking. The swings and climbing structure are wrapped in caution tape, and there is almost no one compared to two months prior.
Hermon Park and Tennis Courts, Oct, 2020. Looking closer at the fence, you can see that the door is falling off, and the metal is worn. In other places, the fence was patched up with orange material or not covered at all. This is just one example of how parks can fall into disrepair if not well maintained.
Hermon Park and Tennis Courts, Oct, 2020. Getting even closer, the wear on the fence and the broken hinge is brought into focus. You can more clearly see the discoloration and rust on the metal.
Hermon Park and Tennis Courts, Oct, 2020. Located in Highland Park, right next to the 110 freeway. This photo is of empty tennis courts, two of the four in Hermon Park. While I shot this court, a group of people played in the second court towards the back of the park.

Thank you to our Digital Promotoras: Action Student, Gabriela Acosta (not pictured) for your dedication to photography and creativity this semester.
This exhibition was made possible thanks to funding from USC Good Neighbors Initiative, L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs, The Annenberg Foundation and Phillip and Edith Leonian Foundation