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Local photographer and educator, Eric V. Ibarra, was alarmed at the percentage
of Latina high school dropout rates. He said,“Being Latino and from Los Angeles
I felt a personal connection to this demographic.” Ibarra started the project in
2010 at a high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District and immediately
recognized its possibilities. “After facilitating a pilot program I realized that this
had potential to expand into other neighborhoods.” Now the project works with
community centers in Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Koreatown, Pasadena, Huntington
Park, and Montebello.
Ibarra’s concept to utilize photography as a tool for empowerment and artistic
expression has led to working with local photographers who believe in the power
of photography, the need to empower young women and the benefits that this
organization brings to low income women of color. Local photographers who
volunteer their time develop a specific project for the young women they will
mentor such as workshop ideas, concepts and activities. Some of those projects
include: vision boards, photojournalism, zine making and other fun experimental
photography concepts, such as double exposure and working with both film and
digital cameras.
“My vision has always been to work with Latino communities throughout the US
and Latin America, “ said Ibarra. Their first international project took place this
spring in Panajachel, Guatemala and in the fall of 2012 Las Fotos Project goes to
Nicaragua. “I see Las Fotos Project as a national and international photography
program working with thousands of youth simultaneously creating opportunities
for girls to build confidence and self-worth,” said Ibarra.
In September Las Fotos Project is going to showcase photography from young
women in a culminating exhibit titled, “Este Soy Yo” at local downtown Los
Angeles gallery, (SUB)URBAN, during Art Walk. They are releasing a few books
over the next months, including their first zine and a book about immigration by
El Sereno residents. The first annual fundraiser will take place in November at El
Velorio an event brought together by The Get Down Collective.
To find out more about their upcoming events, projects and if you want to get
involved check out their website at www.lasfotosproject.org, and friend them on
facebook at www.facebook.com/lasfotosproject
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