Project by: Jagger Walk (12th Grade)
Project Advisor: Susan Now
Student(s)’s Advisor(s): Sarvjit

Last year on my junior class trip, I went to El Paso, Texas with a group of 12 classmates. Going into this trip, I did not know the life-changing impact it would have on me. I was able to get a first-hand education on border control and understand various perspectives. Being able to speak with border patrol officers and an immigration lawyer, I finally understood both sides. Each side views their work with pride. I found this intriguing.

I wanted to document my experience because I knew it was going to be unique and a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was also able to capture photos of  Annunciation House, which is a place of hospitality located in El Paso, Texas. Deeply embedded in and shaped by the US-Mexico border region, they provide basic services and accompaniment to the poorest of the poor, who appear to us most frequently in the form of migrants and refugees. They are a nonprofit, volunteer organization. Annunciation House is one of four shelters that will be providing hospitality to reunite families that were detained and separated by ICE in the last few months.  Annunciation House is expecting to receive 1000 families in the next week or two.

I created a campaign with my clothing brand to give back to this organization and I was able to donate a good amount of money to this community. These photos encapsulate the emotions and landscapes I experienced on this trip. I am currently producing a book of around 200 images, but here are my favorites:

Please write a description of the project you are proposing. Why do you want to take this on, and what do you hope to learn?

I would like to create a photography book that displays the work I have done in El Paso, Texas, last spring. I will work with Susan to explore formatting technique and aesthetic for the book in the same way we did last year for my book documenting my travels in Europe. I hope to learn new ways to display my work and edit my photos in a way that I haven’t before.

What is your proposed outcome? How will you be able to demonstrate successful completion of this Project?

I want to have a printed book by the end of the trimester and will work with Susan weekly to update the format and filters for the photos.

When do you plan on meeting?
Friday-Lunch