nyc salt - new york's rising photographers

25.01.2011

This month THE CHOOK had the pleasure of welcoming our first group of incredible students from the NYC SALT program onto our exciting new platform. In the process we had the opportunity to catch up with the founder of NYC SALT, Alicia Hansen to find out more about what they do, how they got started and what’s in store for 2011.

In 2005 Alicia Hansen, New York based photographer began laying the groundwork for what would later become NYC SALT. Inspired by the documentary film Born Into Brothels, Alicia developed her concept of “using the camera as a vehicle to engage, inspire and empower inner city teenagers.” After a series of encouraging responses to her business plan, Alicia applied for non-profit status and began teaching classes for local teenagers directly out of her photography studio.

“I started NYC SALT officially in 2007. I named the program NYC SALT because NYC is our community and salt is something that flavours and preserves and that is what we want our program to do in the City.”

Right from the beginning NYC SALT have been teaching their students professional grade visual communication skills. Not only do they get the opportunity to develop their creative and technical skills, students are also taught the vital business side of the industry as well. “It is very important to us to teach the students that their work has a monetary value and that they can make a living at what we are teaching them if they apply themselves.”

With their class of 2011 approaching graduation in June, the focus is on equipping students with the necessary skills to work as a photographer’s assistant, how to do some basic corporate work, as well as more advanced lighting and portraiture classes to stretch their technical abilities. “Our hope is that these skills are ones they can use in college to earn extra money and gain more photo experience for those that want to continue in photography.”

Having always had a strong social conscience and a keen interest to work with and empower teenagers within her community, Alicia and her team have been rewarded by seeing the result their efforts have had on their students’ lives. Devin Osorio, a current student on the program has just been accepted onto an internship to work at Diane Von Furstenberg’s design studio and last summer NYC SALT raised enough funding to support their student, Ruben Ramirez throughout his study abroad in Prague.

The students have also had the opportunity to enrol in Syracuse University’s summer camp for the past three years. As a result this summer six of NYC SALT’s students are applying to study full time at the prestigious Syracuse University.

Despite such incredible results so far, it’s not without difficulties, as Alicia explains. “I think that with any start-up, the biggest challenge can be lack of funding and resources. We have had amazing community support and it’s important to me to involve members of the community as much as possible to help our program run, but we can’t grow without proper funding.”
As well as this support from many local individuals, NYC SALT have also received generous donations and support from two of the leading photo industry giants Lexar and Epson.

As graduation time approaches, NYC SALT are starting to plan their first big fundraiser. The event is due to take place in June and will also be the graduation party for their eight current students. “We will be doing a six year retrospective of the kids’ work and hopefully have some live entertainment at a very cool venue in Manhattan!”

Alicia’s passion is clear when she talks about NYC SALT and about her students, both past and present. “Seeing the kids grow up over the past six years and become more confident, watching their portfolios develop, seeing them get great internships and helping them apply for college. It’s awesome!” Without Alicia’s love of photography and dedication to her goal of helping to restore broken parts of the community around her NYC SALT would not have succeeded.

Alongside plans to expand NYC SALT to include a second class this year, Alicia is also developing plans to replicate the model that her and her team have created to apply in other cities around the world.  “We want to empower local creative professionals and photographers to give back to their community in the same way that we have done here in NYC.”

Check out some of the students profiles by clicking on the links below:

 Lewis Escano

 Christian Rodriguez

 Nora Molina

 NYC Salt

If you are interested in finding out more about NYC SALT or would like to enquire about supporting, sponsoring or helping NYC SALT please get in touch with Alicia Hansen.

Interview & Words by Hollie Reid