Where Young Voices Lead the Story
Authentic photography and videography for youth-led Public Health storytelling
I was commissioned by Volunteering Matters and the #iWill Movement to capture photography and video across two youth led hack events in Suffolk. These sessions brought young people together to shape Suffolk County Council’s public health report through conversations, creativity and lived experience. Rather than relying on written reports or stock imagery, the aim was to create real visual storytelling that reflected the voices and energy in the room.
This blog shares how the events unfolded and how I approach respectful documentary photo and video when working with young people and community led projects.
Capturing Youth-Led Public Health Conversations
In a first of its kind project, Suffolk Public Health invited young people themselves to help create the annual public health report. Using youth social action methods, these hack events gave space for ideas, discussion and collaboration, helping reframe how young people are seen in conversations around health, volunteering and community well being.
Volunteering Matters worked alongside Suffolk County Council and education partners across the county to deliver these sessions, ensuring young people were not just present, but genuinely heard.
Creative Icebreakers and Real Connection Through Youth Social Action
Throughout the day, I captured breakout discussions, handwritten notes, group problem solving and young people presenting ideas back to the room. These moments are often quiet and easily overlooked, but they form the backbone of meaningful youth engagement.
Capturing these details helped create a visual record that felt honest and people led, rather than staged or performative.
Hack Day One at Abbeygate Sixth Form, Bury St Edmunds
The first hack I captured took place at Abbeygate Sixth Form in Bury St Edmunds. I captured a mix of stills and video, focusing on the atmosphere in the room as much as the activity itself.
One standout moment was a powerful icebreaker designed to show shared experiences. Young people stood in small groups and took turns sharing something about themselves such as how they travelled that morning. Anyone who related raised their hands and a ball of wool was passed between them. By the end, the group had created a visible web of connection, a visual reminder of how much they had in common.
This moment was a perfect example of why documentary photography matters in these spaces. It showed connection, confidence and participation in a way words alone never could.
Hack Day Two at Ormiston Denes Academy, Lowestoft
The second hack took place at Ormiston Denes Academy in Lowestoft and involved younger participants at primary school age. The icebreaker here invited children to design their own local superheroes, resulting in joyful drawings inspired by local culture, including seagulls and chips.
I documented the process from start to finish, from creative play to focused discussion, making sure the images reflected both the fun and the seriousness of being invited to contribute to real world change.
I also captured interviews led by young people themselves, creating a relaxed and empowering environment where their voices could come through naturally.
Filming and Photographing Young People Sharing Ideas and Lived Experience
Across both events, my role was to quietly observe and document rather than direct, allowing young people to engage naturally without feeling managed or staged.
There was no fixed shot life. Instead, I responded to what was happening in the room, documenting conversations, collaboration, presentations and quieter moments as they unfolded. This way of working ensures the final visuals reflect real lived experience, not a version shaped for the camera, while still meeting the brief and capturing everything needed for the reports, films and wider communications.
A Respectful Documentary Photo and Video Approach When Working With Young People
Working with young people requires a thoughtful and respectful approach, especially when many may never have been around professional photographers or filmmakers before. This is particularly important when the participants are teenagers or younger children.
I work carefully to read the room, move gently and give people space. I never push moments and always prioritise comfort and consent, I also have clear systems in place to ensure anyone without media consent is not captured in final content and everyone is comfortable.
This approach allows the work to feel natural, honest and safe, while still meeting the brief for organisations and partners.
Why Real Event Photography and Video Matters for Community and Public Sector Projects
These hack events show the value of using real imagery from real moments. Authentic photography helps organisations communicate impact, build trust and shop the people behind the work.
For projects rooted in social action, education and community wellbeing, documentary photo and video offers far more than visuals. It created connection, understanding and long term value across reports, websites, social platforms and public engagement.
Looking for a Photographer and Filmmaker for Youth Education, Public Sector or Community Projects?
If you are working on a youth led project. Community initiative or public sector campaign and want photography and video that feels human, respectful and true to the people involved, I would love to hear from you.
I work across the UK supporting organisations, charities and creative teams who value honesty, collaboration, inclusivity and meaningful storytelling.
Get in touch to talk about your project.
Kind Words From a team member at Volunteering Matters
Kezia was incredible to work with and captured our project exactly how we had hoped.
With clear communication, amazing friendly attitude and an eye for detail like you can't believe.
Kezia just 'gets it' and we couldnt have asked for a better photographer / videographer. Thank you!
Want to see more about these youth-led projects?
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Photography - Kezia Tan
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