Today’s fan and wonderful friend to Photo Start is Steve Williams. Steve is a native of Brooklyn, New York, where he lives with his husband, an amateur photographer.  By day, Steve works for an organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By night and weekends, he is a visual artist. His mediums are drawing, collage mixed media, and he also dabbles with photography.

In Steve’s own words…

I stumbled across Photo Start not long after I joined Instagram. What Photo Start does is amazing. Photo Start supports children who lead very complex lives. I know each child is a world unto themselves. The opportunity for the children to record their world as they see it is such a powerful thing. I feel fortunate to experience something of those worlds.

Photo Start teaches photography, but so much more learning is taking place. You can see the kids learning camera techniques with such intensity and commitment. I am often blown away by the dedication these kids show to photography and each other.

I must admit though, at the end of the day, it’s the smiles that always take my heart. I donate to Photo Start because there have been quite a few days where those smiles have made a huge  difference in my day. Donating is my way of returning that gift.