Photography as Conversation: Stories from Frame of Mind Project

Frame of Mind Project

Born out of a simple but powerful idea: photography can be more than just pictures. It can be a tool for storytelling, self-expression, and building community. Our mission is to give young people and adults the space to see the world differently, to use a camera as a way to process their experiences, and to find confidence in their own voice.

This summer marked our second year of programming, and we focused on capturing basketball and the culture surrounding it. Every week, we gathered to explore how the game is more than just a sport: it’s a story of movement, energy, friendship, and community. This year we partnered with QBA Cares, which helped us expand our reach and provide even more opportunities for young people to connect, learn, and create. Taking our new skills to the Bronx to document QBA DAY. View a few images below, I think they did an amazing job for their first time in such an environment.

Basketball player wearing red white and blue jersey performs a layup against backdrop of tall apartment buildings.

People play basketball on an outdoor court with spectators watching from the sidelines during a daytime game.

Three athletes stand together on a basketball court displaying their medals and trophies after a competition.

Basketball players compete in an outdoor street basketball game on a green court during a tournament.

Basketball players compete during a pickup game on an outdoor court in an urban setting with tall buildings in background.

A photographer wearing black clothes and yellow shoes takes pictures at an outdoor basketball court with spectators in background.

Basketball players in colorful uniforms compete aggressively on an outdoor court during a summer game.

Coach gives instruction to a basketball player wearing number 15 jersey during an outdoor game on a sports court.

Two people talking during a streetball tournament on an outdoor basketball court.

Group of people chatting and gathering at an outdoor community event with promotional banners.

Three athletes in basketball jerseys stand together smiling on an outdoor court on a sunny day.

A sequence of sports fans watching and reacting with animated gestures and expressions during a game.

Three people show off t-shirts with colorful artwork designs at an outdoor event.

Players competing on an outdoor basketball court during a sunny day with spectators watching from the sidelines.

Basketball players wearing bright pink and blue patterned jerseys during an outdoor street basketball game.

In the Frame

Alongside our in-person workshops, we hosted In the Frame, our virtual conversation series. These weekly sessions became a space for dialogue, learning, and inspiration, with incredible guests sharing their journeys and wisdom.

Some highlights included conversations on:

• The intersection of art and sport, and how photographers can translate movement into storytelling.

• Personal stories from creatives balancing professional work with passion projects.

• Honest discussions on identity, culture, and the responsibility of artists to reflect the world around them.

As we move forward, In the Frame has become more than just a summer series. It’s now a weekly virtual session where anyone can join the audience, ask questions, and be part of the conversation in real time. The feedback from both speakers and participants has been powerful — proof that photography is as much about dialogue as it is about images.

This is only the beginning. Frame of Mind will continue to grow, creating opportunities for young people, students, and community members to learn, share, and find their voice through photography.

Stay up to date with The Darkroom for future stories, and keep an eye out for our next In the Frame session. If you feel inspired, I invite you to visit the Frame of Mind Project website to see how you can volunteer, donate, or, if you’re a high school or college student, learn more about our upcoming programs.