BDC Teaching Artist Spotlight:
Natcha Wongchanglaw

Natcha Wongchanglaw is currently teaching the High School 1 (HS1) class at the Bronx Documentary Center. This is her first year as a Teaching Artist, having joined the BDC team in October 2024. You can see more of her work at natchaw.com or follow her on Instagram at @nanaka9.

What inspires you most about working with young photographers and filmmakers at the Bronx Documentary Center?

What inspires me most is the opportunity to help students refine their photography skills while supporting their unique visions and the stories they want to share with the world. Seeing their perspectives on issues I may have overlooked challenges me to think differently as well. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness their growth—not just in technique but also in confidence. I’m proud to be a small part of their journey, helping them pursue their passion and develop as photographers and storytellers.

How do you encourage students to use photography for storytelling and social change?

I encourage students to think deeply about the issues that matter to them—why their stories need to be told and how their work can impact society. By discussing real-world examples and exploring how photography has historically been a powerful tool for advocacy, I help them see that their images can spark conversations, challenge perspectives, and drive change.

What memorable moment showcases your students’ creativity or growth?

There have been many, but one that stands out is when my students began working on their class project about teen vaping. At first, they were unsure of how to visually approach the topic and hesitant about capturing meaningful images. But over time, they gained confidence—learning how to compose impactful shots and tell a compelling story through photography. Seeing their final images, which powerfully document the realities of vaping among teens, made me incredibly proud. Watching them grow from beginners to photographers capable of producing such strong, storytelling images has been a highlight of my time teaching.

What challenges have students faced, and how do you support them?

One of the biggest challenges is learning to control the camera—understanding shutter speed, aperture, and ISO can be overwhelming at first. I break these concepts down step by step, giving them hands-on practice to build their confidence. Another challenge is translating their vision into compelling images. To support them, I introduce them to powerful examples of visual storytelling, guiding them in framing and composition choices that strengthen their narratives. Seeing their skills develop through practice and feedback is always rewarding.

How do you incorporate real-world issues into your lessons to inspire critical thinking?

One of the most direct examples is our class project on teen vaping. This is a pressing real-world issue that significantly impacts young people’s health. As a class, we explore different angles of the topic—interviewing individuals who vape, school administrators dealing with the consequences, and even public health experts. Next week, we have a specialist from Public Health Solutions coming in for interviews. By engaging with real people and real stories, students learn how photography can document and amplify important social issues, encouraging them to think critically about the world around them.