Mentorship 2.0 | A Panel Discussion

Last week’s mentorship session, Jasmine invited two photographers, Adri and Jamilla, to join our group and share the stories that shaped their careers. Both photographers started by introducing themselves and explaining how they started. Listening to them talk about their stories, the type of work they do, and personal experiences is a reminder that everyone’s creative path is different. They showed their websites and the work they have done; one photographer focused on family portraits, graduation portraits, corporate, and maternity photos. The other focused more on maternity, newborn, and family portraits.

The session ended with an open Q&A, and answered any questions the mentees had. Overall, this mentorship session went over pricing, confidence, networking, and experiences. Bringing in photographers who have walked this path for years was a great opportunity for the mentees to connect. We are grateful to Adri and Jamilla for sharing their time, their stories, and their knowledge.

Pocket Hugs workshop with Yekseny | Art Therapy

The Pocket Hugs Workshop, led by our Art Therapist, Yekseny Guerrero, was a fun and creative workshop that fell under the theme of February, the month of love! The atmosphere was calm, safe, and comfortable for the community. Yekseny encouraged everyone to slow down, be present, and create with intention. Participants were given time to reflect on who they wanted to show appreciation for and share their pocket hug. The workshop highlighted the importance of practicing gratitude in everyday life and showed how love and care can be shared in a simple but meaningful way.

Dream Chasers United | Fashion Show

Dream Chasers United invited us to photograph a fashion show runway for the students they have been working with at Washington Dual Language Academy. Each student was given the opportunity to design their own t‑shirt. This fashion show was a way to showcase their own identity, creativity, and voice. Each shirt reflected something personal, like the colors they love, messages they stand by, symbols that represent who they want to become. 

As they walked the runway, each student also shared an original “I Am” poem, offering a glimpse into their stories, strengths, and dreams. These poems added depth and heart to the show, reminding us that fashion isn’t just about what we wear—it’s about how we express ourselves and the truths we carry.

To honor their hard work, every participant received a Certificate of Completion, recognizing not only their creativity but also their courage to show up, share, and shine. The room was filled with applause, smiles, and genuine admiration from staff and peers. Moments like these remind us why youth-centered spaces matter and when students are given the tools and freedom to create, they rise with confidence, imagination, and community.

We are so proud of each student who participated in the fashion show, and thank you, Dream Chasers United, for having us there to capture these proud moments. 

Mentorship 2.0 | Spring 2026

Meet our mentees: Mya, Saffron, Melina, Haley, and Ethan! Each with their own style, story, and way of seeing the world through their own lens. Our mentorship is rooted in creativity, growth, community, and providing a space for the mentees to learn, feel supported, and collaborate with other creatives. We started the first session of mentorship with introductions and shared the types of photography they do and showed their work, which included portraits, events, product, family, and sports. The room filled with conversations about technique, inspiration, challenges, and the types of photos they want to create.

After, we spent the rest of the day taking group shots and individual headshots by our Executive Director for The Firehouse Dream, Jasmine Lopez, who is also a photographer! We are excited about the upcoming sessions and the new things the mentees will be learning.

Art Therapy: Affirmation Mirror

To welcome the new year with intention, we hosted a Creative Affirmation Mirrors workshop led by our facilitator, Yekseny Guerrero. We created a space for community members to set positive affirmations and reflect on the energy they want to carry into the year ahead.

Throughout the session, participants shared, connected, and created through thoughtful, reflective conversations. Using colors, designs, beads, and meaningful words, everyone crafted their own affirmation mirror. After, we circled up and invited everyone to share the meaning behind their mirrors. Every mirror held a story, and intention for what was put on their own mirror.