Photos in a teen photography workshop gallery show held in July. The most recent session is closing out with a gallery show from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15 at Tabryn’s Marketplace/The Cottage Bakery, located at 17 South Broad Street. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — The Place is wrapping up their most recent session of their six-week teen photography program, and will be showcasing participants' work at a gallery showing from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15.

The gallery show is free to attend and will be held at Tabryn's Marketplace/The Cottage Bakery, located at 17 South Broad Street. Light refreshments will be provided.

This session focused on cityscapes and portraiture. Facilitator Jill Kraft said she and the participants spent six weeks exploring the city for interesting photo opportunities.

"We walked to different areas in town, actually different areas that we’ve ever gone to before. We did the Museum District this time. We walked to the schools. We were talking about architecture. We went to the Eaton Center," she said. "We talk about the history of Norwich as we walk around and look at all these, the different architecture of the houses, how old some of them are. We did pictures at the Manley house. We did different things."

"We kind of talk about angles and finding the photographer’s eye, and finding that unique composition rather than just point and shoot," she added. "We’re teaching them how to be more than a point and shoot camera photographer."

The participants are working on portraiture this week, and they will be selecting which photos they'd like to have in the gallery. Kraft said the students will also mat and frame their own photos for display.

At Wednesday's gallery opening, one student will also be chosen as the winner of a free camera to further their photography skills after the session ends.

Kraft said the program is a great way for local youth interested in photography to learn about the art and try it for the first time, or to expand their existing photography skills.

"Some do it just for fun, some take it really seriously. Some want to go into a future of photography. So it’s just nice to really allow them that freedom. We don’t have a rigid curriculum. You know, it’s like, okay, where do you want to go next week? What do you want to do?"

The teen photography workshops are made possible by the generosity of a private donor. Kraft also credits the success of the program to the dedicated individuals who come together to make the class happen.

"She makes some cookies for the gallery opening and they always very generously allow us to use their space for the gallery showing. They donate the space so that we can highlight the kids for a month or so in the back hallway space. It's nice of them," Kraft said of the staff at Tabryn's Marketplace.

"Sharon [Vesely] at The Place, she worked really hard to get the special funding to allow the program to continue, because a couple years ago the funding changed. So she had to go out and seek new funding specifically for this program, and she’s very dedicated to do that. And so this continued on and she believes in this program very much," she added. " Everybody kind of comes together for this."

Kraft said there will be more photography classes available in the future, and anticipates the next session to begin in the spring.

"I would like to get more people in there. It’s a nice program," said Kraft. "We definitely have room to expand it."

For more information on future teen photography workshops, visit The Place Facebook page.