Through Our Lens

Program Overview

The Ford, Las Fotos Project (LFP) and Black Image Center (BIC) are piloting a collaboration that brings emerging professional photographers to highlight the artistic processes of select performing artists. This collaboration is part of The Ford's Community Residencies program. Through collaborative efforts with local youth-oriented organizations, Community Residencies aims to enable organizations to broaden the opportunities available for youth-centered career development in the arts.

We hope you enjoy the Photo Essays created by the 2025 Cohort.

About Las Fotos Project

Las Fotos Project is a photography mentoring nonprofit located in Boyle Heights that utilizes the power of photography to encourage students to explore their identity, community, and future careers. Las Fotos Project’s Creative Career Center leverages participants’ skills and knowledge to provide emerging professionals aged 19-25 with a valuable network of professional development opportunities to advance their careers in the creative industry.

About Black Image Center

Black Image Center is a Los Angeles-based community photography space committed to uplifting LA's Black storytellers through community, educational programming, and job opportunities. Their mission is to reclaim stories, establish pipelines to the creative industry, and build ongoing legacies by preserving LA's Black history.

This program is supported in part by the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.

Meet the photographers

Congratulations to this season’s Through Our Lens Cohort!

Amber Salik

@ambernichole09

Amber Salik is a photographer and expressive arts therapist based in Los Angeles whose work serves as both a documentary and reflective practice. Salik's works primarily with artists, capturing how their processes bring ideas are to life: the collective effort, relentless rehearsals, and how each artist carries their individuality even within a group. Salik is driven by bringing audiences closer to artists, making big moments feel intimate.

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Isa Moreno

@isamoreno.jpg

Isa Moreno is an award-winning independent queer photographer and filmmaker of color. Focusing on unity in the face of continuous systemic constraints that drive separation, Moreno is fueled by documenting the lived experiences of diverse people in Los Angeles. Moreno primarily photographs community events and arts exhibitions focused on Queer and Trans Black/Indigenous People of Color. Their work documenting public spaces and performance ceaselessly uplifts and reflects historically underrepresented audiences.

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Kaila Caffey

@kailacaffey

Kaila Caffey is a photographer whose work primarily focuses on nature, family, friends, and documenting other creatives in Los Angeles. Through play with light, shadows, framing, and portraiture, Caffey's focus lies in capturing people in their natural environment. Ultimately, Caffey aims to create a sense of familiarity from the viewer to the subjects by capturing people in their "element."

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Polaroid of man in black shirt with the works

Maryjane (MJ) Joya

@maryjane__photography

MJ Joya is a photographer drawn to capturing small, meaningful moments that reflect emotion, identity, and human connection. Excited by the opportunity to experiment with new techniques, styles, and forms of storytelling, Joya explores themes such as childhood through the eyes of children, hesitation toward parenthood, and life in motion in their work. Their passion for documentary photography is fueled by witnessing artists within their creative realm and preserving those experiences through photography. Joya loves capturing the atmosphere of shared experience, the excitement of crowds, the emotion of the performers, and fleeting moments of connection.

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