Give a Child a Camera
Yesterday's Special Presentation, the first of 2021, was given by Julian Claxton, the award winning professional photographer and founder of the project 'Give A Child A Camera'.
Julian's presentation covered the period from 2012 to the present day. It all began with a big adventure, a cycle ride from his home in Suffolk to Rwanda and his discovery of a simple school in a remote, rural corner of Uganda. In this single classroom school the idea of empowering these young children through the making of interesting and emotional pictures of the children's lives took root. Julian collected old film (!) cameras donated by people in the UK, took them back to Uganda and gave them to the children. He taught them the names of the parts of a camera and how cameras and film worked.
Then he gave all the new camera owners the mission to record the story of their life through portraits, family and landscape. The hope was that the exercise would build a new sense of confidence and independence in the young people and, hopefully, demonstrate, learn and understand the art of making photographs. Maybe even think about a career in photography.
The results of this mission were amazing. At the start Julian was warned that if he allowed the children to take the cameras home they would all be sold for cash and the project would fail. Twenty five children had been selected to receive cameras and take them home, and, after ten days, when Julian returned, twenty five had cameras and rolls of film! Not one camera was missing! All the films were developed and the prints were taped to the school chalk board, every child had a photo album! It was amazing to see the sheer joy of the photographers!
Now Wex became involved and 12 months later the school was upgraded and had over 200 children. A new Photo Room was built to display the prints. On a practical note some extra donated cash was found and new toilets were built and a garden with fresh vegetables.
Julian went on to describe how the project was extended to a border town where life was brutal and children were always at risk. Working with the NGO Katuna Marps team more children were given cameras to capture life in a border town. Another fantastic set of pictures were produced and the exhibition of work that followed to which their mothers were invited was another huge success.
Julian's work continues, he's still collecting old cameras and will be back in that border town nurturing the passion of the children.
To learn more about Julian’’s charity use this LINK
The following images taken by the children are shown with Julian’s permission:
Julian Claxton is a freelance photographer who has held numerous exhibitions, been featured internationally in print and been a finalist in the National Geographic competition. One of the images he shot at Eden School went on to win the 2015 Travel Media Tourism and Photography award. See more at his website julianclaxtonphotography.com.