Empowering Coastal Communities: National Geographic Photo Camp’s Journey in Visual Storytelling

National Geographic Photo Camp is a program sponsored by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, offering immersive, week-long photography workshops for young individuals in the Galápagos Islands and Baja California Sur, Mexico. The initiative aims to teach participants aged 17 to 22 about the technical and narrative aspects of photography, guided by experienced National Geographic Explorers and photographers. These workshops provide hands-on instruction and practical experience in visual storytelling.

Established in 2003, the Photo Camp initiative has impacted over 3,000 students across various countries. Its goals extend beyond teaching camera techniques, emphasizing confidence building, peer connections, and enabling participants to represent their own communities through imagery. Each session is free for students, including lodging, meals, transportation, and equipment, with approximately 20 young people enrolled per session to ensure personalized instruction.

In 2025, three workshops were conducted, with support from National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions staff: a February session in Santa Cruz, a session in October at San Cristóbal in the Galápagos archipelago, and a November session in Baja California Sur. These locations were chosen for their environmental and cultural richness, providing diverse natural backdrops for students’ photographic exploration.

Typically, the program concludes with presentations or exhibitions of the students’ work, shared with local communities, family, and peers, and often disseminated through social media to showcase the varied perspectives captured during the camp. By equipping participants with essential skills and narrative structures, the initiative helps them effectively document and communicate the environmental and cultural aspects of their surroundings.

This youth-oriented program reflects the broader educational and outreach ambitions upheld by National Geographic and its expedition partners, highlighting the transformative power of photography as a means for personal growth, cross-cultural interaction, and environmental awareness among budding storytellers.

For more information, visit:

• Lindblad Expeditions
• Galápagos Islands

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