Our mission is to "Empower Cancer Patients to Thrive by Transforming Adversity into Artistry"
This photography program unites adolescent and young adult cancer survivors through creativity, shared experience, and healing. In a space built on trust and understanding, participants come together to learn photography through guided classroom sessions and immersive, field-based experiences. Beyond technical skills, the program offers a way to slow down, reconnect with the present moment, and rediscover a sense of identity beyond illness. Rooted in the mission to Empower Cancer Patients to Thrive by Transforming Adversity into Artistry, the program invites survivors to turn their stories, challenges, and resilience into meaningful visual expression creating art that reflects not just what they’ve endured, but who they are becoming.
How we can work together
Partnering with AYA Cancer Strong offers a meaningful opportunity to support adolescent and young adult cancer survivors through therapeutic photography, a powerful tool for healing, identity rebuilding, and emotional expression. We collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and professional organizations to integrate creative, mindfulness-based photography programs into hospitals, schools, and community spaces. Through engaging workshops, speaking engagements, and hands-on guidance in developing photography structured programs, we help create supportive environments where survivors can process their journeys, build confidence, and strengthen mental resilience. Partnerships can take many forms, from hosting programs and sponsoring workshops to simply donating photography equipment, supplies, or professional services to directly support participants. Every contribution helps expand access to creative outlets that foster connection, empowerment, and long-term wellness. For speaking engagements, workshops, donations, or partnership inquiries, please contact me.
We are currently seeking cancer survivors aged 18-40 who are interested in learning photography or are already practicing photographers. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about our program, feel free to get in touch with us at chris@zphotoz.com.
AYA Education
Adolescent and Young Adult Photography
2024
The Whole in the Wall Gang Camp
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp provides “a different kind of healing” to children with serious illnesses and their families through year-round programs celebrating the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE CAMPERS WHO JOINED US, AS WELL AS OUR DEDICATED INSTRUCTORS WHO MADE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS! WE HOPE EVERYONE LEFT WITH NEW SKILLS, FRIENDSHIPS, AND A PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
I recently had the opportunity to teach campers the fundamentals of photography. We started with a 30-minute classroom session, which was followed by 3 hours of hands-on fieldwork. Throughout the course, the kids were consistently energized, smiling and supportive of one another. They were fully engaged in the task at hand, making the experience truly rewarding. This experience showed the campers that photography can be fun and therapeutic, even with just a basic understanding.
Course Highlights:
Engaging Classroom Sessions: Campers learned about key photography concepts such as composition, lighting, and camera settings.
Inspiring Fieldwork: Participants had the chance to practice their skills outdoors, capturing stunning images in a beautiful setting.
Creative Expression: It was wonderful to see campers experiment with their creativity and develop their unique photographic style.
2025
The Whole in the Wall Gang Camp
Course Highlights:
On-Site Full Studio: Through our collaboration with the AYA program, we empowered interested campers to learn the fundamentals of headshot photography while creating professional-grade portraits they can use for career development or social platforms. Campers also gained hands-on experience by photographing one another with professional-grade camera equipment, building real-world skills in a collaborative setting.
My Why: I am a photographer based in Connecticut. With a doctorate in pharmacy and over 20 years of specialized experience in oncology, I am dedicated to making a difference in the cancer community through science and photography. With the launch of AYA Cancer Strong, I am committed to empowering individuals diagnosed with cancer by turning challenges into creative expression. Having faced my own cancer diagnosis on the day of my father's funeral, following his own battle with cancer, I intimately understand the hardships involved. Despite these challenges, I have found solace and resilience through faith, family and friends, wellness and photography in all its forms, mental, social, and physical. With this deep personal connection and commitment, I am thrilled to launch a new project focused on empowering cancer patients through the transformative power of photography.