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BDC Youth Photo League
The BDC Youth Photo League
About the BDC Youth Photo League Program
The BDC Youth Photo League (YPL) is a free documentary photography and college success program for middle and high school students in the Bronx. Through afterschool and summer programs, students learn to use photography, writing, and research to explore social justice issues while preparing for college and future careers.
The Program includes:
• College prep support, including one-on-one counseling, financial aid workshops, and college tours
• Hands-on instruction in documentary photography
• Mentorship from internationally renowned photographers
• Field trips to major cultural institutions and media outlets
• National and international travel opportunities
After-School Program
(Applications Closed)
The BDC Youth Photo League is a free year-long documentary photography and college success program for students in the 6th-12th grades. All experience levels are welcome and cameras and materials are provided by the BDC.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
October – June
Wednesdays, 4:15–6:00 PM
High School (Grades 9-12)
October – June
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 4:30–6:30 PM
Summer Program (Applications Closed)
The YPL Summer Program is a free six-week course where students create photobooks, zines, and newspapers.
Photobook Class (Grades 7-12) – No prior experience required! Students explore storytelling through photography, experimenting with sequencing, collages, and zines to create their own photobooks.
Community Newspaper (Grades 9-12) – Students act as photojournalists, completing assignments and collaborating to produce a printed newspaper focused on a five-block radius of the Bronx Documentary Center. (Photography or journalism experience required.)
YPL Publications:
BDC Focus
BDC Focus is a student-run newspaper created by the Bronx Documentary Center’s Youth Photo League (YPL). Born from the YPL’s dedication to documenting critical issues in the South Bronx, it highlights untold stories through the lens of young photographers and photojournalists. Over the last two years, YPL students, alumni, and teaching artists have collectively produced this publication. BDC Focus serves as a powerful model of community journalism, showcasing the importance of local news and photojournalism for youth in the YPL.
YPL Photobook
Through Our Eyes: Youth Photography at the Bronx Documentary Center, 2013–2023 showcases a decade of work from our Youth Photo League. This photobook features award-winning images captured by students, offering a powerful visual narrative of the Bronx. With texts by Mike Kamber and Bianca Farrow, it celebrates the impact of youth storytelling through photography.
Student Films
At the Bronx Documentary Center’s Youth Photo League (YPL), students go beyond still photography to create compelling documentary shorts that tell powerful stories from their communities. Through hands-on training in video production, interviewing, and editing, students learn how to develop visual narratives that shed light on underreported issues and personal experiences. Guided by professional filmmakers and journalists, YPL students gain the skills to capture, edit, and share impactful stories, ensuring that their voices—and the voices of their neighbors—are heard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the age requirements to be a student?
You must currently be a 6th – 12th grade student.
Do I have to be enrolled in a specific school or live in the Bronx to be in the YPL?
Nope! We welcome anyone from the five boroughs of New York City, although preference is given to Bronx-based applicants. The only requirement is that you’re able to get to and from class every week.
How much does the program cost?
The YPL is completely FREE for all enrolled students! We provide equipment, cover the cost of any field trip transportation, and even have pre-class snacks.
When and where are classes held?
During the summer, classes meet twice weekly at varying times, and during the school year, after-school sessions are held. High school students meet twice a week, middle school students once a week, with optional open lab time on Saturdays. College success workshops for high schoolers take place on weeknights and Saturdays. All classes are held at the Bronx Documentary Center’s Annex at 364 151st Street, Bronx, NY.
Do I need to have photography experience?
No prior experience is required! Our classes are geared to challenge students of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. If you have previous experience, make sure to note this on your application, as occasionally we will move students to a more advanced class.
Do I need to have a camera?
Nope! The BDC provides all necessary equipment for students during their time in the program. This includes analog cameras, digital cameras, and laptops for use onsite with the full Adobe Creative Suite.
If I was already in the BDC Youth Photo League do I need to apply again?
Although returning YPL students are given preference during the application process, you still need to apply!
What will I learn in the YPL?
Learn to tell impactful stories about what matters to you through documentary photography—a medium often used to highlight social issues. You’ll develop strong photography skills and gain a deeper understanding of the world by incorporating research, interviews, and writing into your storytelling.