Education, Mentorship, and Creative Leadership
Alongside fieldwork and filmmaking, this work extends into education and mentorship, supporting emerging storytellers in developing their voice and technical skill.
These programs focus on access, representation, and hands-on learning, particularly for communities that have historically been underrepresented in media. Through workshops, mentorship programs, and institutional collaborations, the goal is to create pathways for new voices to enter film and photography with confidence and clarity.
The work spans both grassroots initiatives and established organizations, bridging creative development with real-world application in storytelling, production, and visual communication.
BRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (2023, 2024)
American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), Los Angeles, California
Lead Facilitator
The BRIDGE Photography Mentorship Program is a 16-week initiative designed to support emerging photographers in developing both technical skill and creative direction within a professional framework.
As Lead Facilitator and Board Member of the Los Angeles chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), I played a key role in bringing the program to Los Angeles and supporting its development locally.
My work focused on guiding participants through creative challenges, facilitating group sessions, and providing direct feedback on their work. The program emphasized portfolio development, visual storytelling, and navigating the transition from learning to professional practice.
In addition to working closely with students, I contributed to program evaluation and refinement, helping shape the structure and delivery of future cohorts.
EMPOWERED INDIGENOUS FILMMAKER MASTERCLASSES (2018)
by VoVo Productions & TELUS STORYHIVE, British Columbia, Canada
Storytelling Mentor
The Empowered Indigenous Filmmaker Masterclass is a global initiative founded by Farhan Umedaly (VoVo Productions), designed to provide filmmaking training to underrepresented and Indigenous communities. The program has supported participants ranging from First Nations youth in Canada to displaced and marginalized communities worldwide.
I was invited to serve as a storytelling mentor for the British Columbia cohorts, working directly with First Nations youth in New Hazelton and Kamloops. Each cohort was an intensive, week-long program focused on building both creative confidence and technical skill.
Participants were guided through the full filmmaking process, from story development and scriptwriting to on-location filming, audio production, and final edit. The program culminated in a public screening, where completed films were presented and celebrated.
Several participants have since gone on to document their own communities, using film to preserve the stories and knowledge of their elders.