Refugees helped to tell their stories through photography
The ability to learn how to make your voice heard through photography was explored in an interactive workshop.
More than 15 people from the migrant and refugee community in Wolverhampton attended a free MV Media Lab training session by International photojournalist and creative photographer Denise Maxwell of Lensi Photography.
The session, held at the Refugee and Migrant centre, was organised by Migrant Voice, an organisation dedicated to developing the media skills and confidence of migrants with the aim of strengthening their voices in the media and civil society.
Selbin Kabote, a Media Lab Project Worker, helped to organise the event and is now hoping to see those in attendance use their new skills going forward to tell their story.
He said: "I want to see the participants be able to take basic photographs, know the tricks on how to take a basic photograph and learn the background and exposures you need to take simple photos.
"Most of the people attending this session are from a migrant background.
"Some are refugees, others are asylum seekers and they want to be able to tell their story through photography.
"We want them to be able to narrate their own story about how they came into the country so that they can change the negative stereotype of asylum seekers, migrants and refugees into a positive through good storytelling."
There were chances for participants to practice what they learnt with practical exercises, using cameras and other equipment provided by Migrant Voice and with expert help from Denise Maxwell.
Denise has worked with Migrant Voice in the past and thinks photography can help people find a voice in the media.
She said: "I think photography is a medium that is understood by everybody.
"It crosses language and culture and age, so it's one of those mediums where I don't need to be linked to you in any way for you to understand my photography.
"I want the people here today to walk away with knowing that there is value in their stories, give them some skills in terms of how they get their stories out there and just to understand that they can do it and can go out and create their own project."
For more information about the work Migrant Voice do, go to their website at www.migrantvoice.org.
