First Exposures is a nationally-recognized youth photography and mentoring program in San Francisco.
Founded in 1993, First Exposures (FX) leverages the power of photography and mentoring to empower young people to thrive, express themselves creatively, and become leaders in their communities.
FX has served thousands of Bay Area youth with high-quality free photography education and positive adult mentorship, providing youth ages 11-18 the opportunity to learn photography in a community-based setting with support from a photographer who serves as both a mentor and a positive adult role model.
Through time spent in experiential learning environments like darkrooms, museums, outdoor spaces, and even trips abroad, mentees can cultivate diverse perspectives to widen their horizons. Since 2004, over 95% of our mentees have gone on to pursue a college education with many returning to First Exposures as mentors, teaching artists, and committed community members of the FX family.
We envision a world where supportive relationships and creative expression are celebrated as a catalyst for change.
