Photography Without Borders (PWB) invites viewers to glimpse through the eyes of young people growing up in Kensington and North Philadelphia. The book showcases photographs and stories from youth in PWB’s seven programs across North Philadelphia. Younger students, many taking photos for the first time, focus on joyfully exploring nature, their schools, and the communities they live in. Returning students in our high school programs delve into storytelling, many accompanying their images with meaningful text that gives us insight into how they see their world.
Jazmine “Jazzy” Silva Sanchez has been a student of PWB since 7th grade at Hostos Elementary. Last year at the age of 20 she traveled to her home country of Mexico and documented her trip with an amazing series of photographs. One of her images of a “Chango” taken at a Three Kings Day celebration was chosen for the cover of the book.

“Going back to Mexico really helped me gain an understanding of the culture, the traditions, and the roles (my culture) plays in my life and why,” says Jazzy.” I feel more self-assured, I feel more confident, I feel more “me” than I did before. I’m proud to call myself Mexican American and Purépecha because I am from those people.”