Get Involved

 

 We’re creating pathways to
successful, creative futures.

 

How to sign up for our Photography Classes:

Applications for the Fall 2024 semester are now closed. If you are interested in participating in our free community workshops & events, or would like to be placed on the priority list for the Spring 2025 semester application, please click the “Sign Me Up!” button below to fill out the student interest form. Once the interest form is filled out, you will be placed on the priority list for applicants.

While enrollment in our classes are currently closed, all teen girls and gender-expansive youth are welcomed to join our public events! Head on over to our events page to view upcoming events and to RSVP. No photography experience is necessary to join our events, and they will always be free to join!

Student FAQs

  • We accept student applications before every semester, usually in January & July/August. The best way to ensure you’re notified of open spots is to fill out our student interest form. Once you receive a notification that applications are open, we encourage you to fill it out and submit as soon as possible as our open spots are filled on a first come, first served basis.

  • 13 – 18! If you will be turning 13 by the time the semester begins or just turned 18, you’re welcomed to fill out an application or student interest form!

  • Nope! We are here to teach you! If you’re new to photography or already have a bit of experience, we’re here to support you. We have various classes for all skill levels.

  • Nope! We’ll provide one that you can use and learn with during your class.

  • Nope! We welcome all teen girls from the general Los Angeles area. The only requirement is that you’re able to get to and from class every week. (NOTE: Spring 2022 classes will be virtual with some in-person activities). Students outside of LA County are welcome to join, so long as they are able to pick up equipment in the East Los Angeles area.)

  • Classes are held once a week either after-school or on the weekends. In the Fall 2022 semester, we will be conducting all classes in-person. All students are currently required to wear a face mask during in-person activities. Once you apply and list your preferences, we will reach out to enroll you in a class.

  • Students are required to spend a minimum of 4 hours a week for 14 weeks here at Las Fotos Project. This time includes attending class, and having weekly check-ins with your mentor, taking photos each week and uploading them into the google drive. Attendance in all classes is mandatory.

  • You can apply to get involved in leadership roles through our Youth Advisory Council. Their voices and opinions are integral to the decision making processes within our organization. Through our CEO program, students have the opportunity to be hired for paid photo gigs from clients throughout Los Angeles. You also can submit photos to sell and earn revenue from The Foto Shop.

  • Email Diego at diego@lasfotosproject.org

Mentor Signups

Volunteering as a Photography Mentor at Las Fotos Project is a wonderful opportunity for artists and educators to collaborate with middle school and high school students in a community setting. Artist Mentors are caring individuals, willing to learn from students, open to taking risks, and able to commit to at least three hours per week for 14 weeks. Concurrent with their mentoring hours, mentors are invited to participate in a professional development program to support their growth as artists and educators.

Artist Mentors have been students, members of the industry, and artists from the community. Las Fotos Project emphasizes peer-to-peer and participatory learning, artist mentors must be able to connect on a personal level with teenagers.

Mentor FAQs

  • If you are ready to be a mentor, fill out the mentor application below. We accept mentor applications all year round, however, our interview process happens at the beginning of every semester. Once your application is accepted, you will be contacted by Las Fotos Project to schedule an interview. All mentor applicants are also required to complete a background check (Live Scan) upon completion of the interview process.

  • Yes, in some capacity. Our mentors provide technical support in addition to personal guidance for our students. Knowledge of photography is highly desired, though we welcome people who engage with photography in different ways – professional, hobbyists and production.

  • Mentors and mentees are paired at the beginning of the semester and work together both inside and outside of class. We ask you to meet weekly (via texting, zoom, etc.) to answer any technical camera questions, to track class progress, and check in regarding topics outside of Las Fotos Project such as school, family, mental wellness etc.

  • Nope! Although we aim to have our students connected to as many women-identified photographers as possible, our application process is open to individuals of all gender identities.

  • We aim to pair mentors with no more than 2 students, although most mentors will be paired with 1 student for the entirety of the semester.

  • Our mentors volunteer their time with our students. Most of our mentors have found that their experience here at Las Fotos Project has helped them grow as artists and professionals as well. Mentors also have the opportunity to build their personal network by connecting with over 40 other photographers who are working in various projects and collectives outside of the organization each semester.

  • We ask that all mentors volunteer 3 hours a week, for 14 weeks. This time includes attending class, and having weekly check-ins with your mentee(s). It may also include duties such as providing feedback and guidance through surveys and going on field-trips with mentees. Attendance in all classes is mandatory.

  • Email us at info@lasfotosproject.org

Teaching Artist Signups

Las Fotos Project Teaching Artists provide inspiration and leadership in the creative classroom. Our Teaching Artists are vital to our students’ learning process and to the development of our student exhibitions.

Las Fotos Project Teaching Artists are paid, part-time positions (14- 20 hrs/week) based on the project or class to be taught. We accept application materials on a rolling basis but typically hire in January and August.

All materials are reviewed upon receipt and kept on file for at least one year. Teaching Artists being considered for the position are invited for an in-person or virtual interview. If you are a professional artist interested in teaching for Las Fotos Project, have experience teaching youth, and have a teaching philosophy aligned with the mission of our organization, please send us your application.

Volunteer or partner with us!

Are you an individual in the creative arts that would like to share your talents and experience with our students? Or would you like to be a mentor, but are not available during our programming hours?

Or would you like to explore a potential collaboration with your organization?

Our Community Engagement opportunities connect people like yourself who would like to facilitate a photography-based activity, provide talks or partner on other activities for youth interested in exploring their creativity through photography.

If you are interested in being a guest speaker, workshop facilitator and sharing your experiences and talents - or would like to partner with us, fill out the form below to be added to our community list!