WASHINGTON- Join the National Park Service (NPS) at the 2023 Experiencing National Parks Through the Lens of Youth photo exhibit on display at The White House Visitor Center Aug. 26 through Sept. 18. The White House and President’s Park invites the public to see DC-area national parks through the eyes and lenses of students who learned about photography and photo editing at national parks in the greater Washington, DC, area. The exhibit will be unveiled on Aug. 26 at 11 a.m.
This summer, The White House and President’s Park hosted 12 high school students who were selected for a Summer Youth Photography Program. This competitive program was designed to help students in high school explore the theories and practices of photography while increasing their awareness of the cultural and natural resources preserved in their national parks. As student volunteers, they help to tell the stories of national parks through their “lens."
“This photography program is a great initiative for the future of our youth and our national parks," Martha Benjamin, park volunteer for the 2023 photography program, said. “It provides a platform for youth to effect change in themselves in the built and natural environments in which they live, and in our society."
In the D.C. area, the students visited Clara Barton National Historic Site, Glen Echo Park, Great Falls Park, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, National Mall and Memorial Parks, The White House and President’s Park and Piscataway Park.
Local photography teacher, Nilda Keres, from Gaithersburg High School, Md., taught the students basic photography and editing skills. Professional photographers also shared insight on the business aspect of photography and how to capture a picture to tell a story.
What the students are saying about the summer program:
“My hope is that my photographs portray how the National Park Service's goal to preserve is not in the service of preserving a stagnant past, but instead in preserving spaces where people can interweave that past with their personal stories." - Zoe Cymrot, age 15
“The places I visited have deep, complex pasts that can’t just be told through words. Through my photos, I aim to capture the interesting stories of these parks. I want to inspire people to preserve and protect them for future generations. During this multi-week program, I was able to learn and refine my photography techniques and visit places I would never have had the chance to otherwise." - Ananya Karthikeyan, age 16
“I was taught by every park ranger we met the importance of telling every story. Not just the famous ones that they build monuments for, but also the stories of every worker, enslaved laborer, or civil rights activist that had a positive impact on our history." - Beckx Mason, age 16
The White House Visitor Center, located at 1450 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, is open every day from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Can’t make it in person? You can also view the exhibit online after the unveiling.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service