Volunteer with Critical Exposure!

We're always in need of dedicated supporters to help strengthen our efforts to empower youth through arts, advocacy, and leadership training! There are a number of ways that you can have an impact -- read on for more about the types of volunteers we need, and submit the form to let us know how you'd like to get involved.  

Photographers
Naturally, the support of professional photographers is incredibly valuable to us. If you're a photographer and would like to work with us, you can do so in the following ways: 

• Help in the classroom. This is the trickiest role to coordinate, because there are limited opportunities for us to bring volunteers into the schools where we work, but we do try to engage skilled photographers in helping lead photo walks, work with students on photography basics, share professional experiences, and more.
• Donate your work to our annual photo auction. The auction takes place in October and is our major fundraiser of the year. You can donate a print (framed, if possible) to help us raise money to continue providing photography and leadership training to our students. (Please know that there's a chance that we might not be able to include the image in the auction -- photographers have been so generous that we sometimes have too many!)
• Take photos of our events and classes. We regularly have events that we need to document, and we like to give our students and staff a reprieve from shooting in order to talk to people about their work. If you're able to attend events or occasional classes and capture images of our programs in action, that's incredibly helpful. Does this sound like your wheelhouse? Join the "Volunteer: Photographer" group below!

Rainmakers (drizzles and storms encouraged)
If making a personal donation isn't enough or the best fit for you, there is plenty you can do! You could throw a yard sale and donate the proceeds to CE. You could donate the profits of a yoga class to help us train youth in photography and advocacy. You could put us on your wedding registry, ask for donations to CE as a birthday gift in your honor, or even host a party on our behalf with an exhibit of student work in your own home. There are endless possibilities! If this sounds like a great option for you, join the "Volunteer: Rainmaker (Fundraiser)" group below!

Exhibit Enthusiasts
Do you work in the visual arts and have great ideas on how to set up exhibits? Do you live in D.C. and have connections to gallery/exhibit spaces? Are you interested in helping us set up our exhibits? All are welcome! If you'd like to help with our next exhibit, join the "Volunteer: Exhibit Enthusiast" group below!

PR Specialists
Spreading the word about our students' work and the images themselves is imperative to increasing the impact of youth voices. We can always use help with:

• Writing press releases. We have a great amount of student photography and success stories to share throughout the year. You can help us draft the angle for getting media attention for those stories.
• Building our press list. Know of reporters or bloggers who would be interested in our stories? Help us make a connection!
• Reach out to the media. In the event of a big story where we need to get the word out as far and wide as possible, you can help us by emailing and calling reporters with the news.
• Increasing the exposure of student photography. If you have great ideas for getting our images in the public eye, let us know how you think you might be able to help. If you're a public relations professional who can donate your expertise to getting media attention for student photography and advocacy efforts, join the "Volunteer: PR Specialist" group below!

Writers
We spend a lot of time writing grants, letters, media advisories, and more. We're always in need of writers and copy editors who can help us raise funds and awareness with accuracy and grace (and without spelling errors!). This role is really flexible in terms of your schedule -- it can be during the day, in the evening, whenever works for you to help copy edit a grant or brainstorm a catchy subject line for our newsletter. If you're available to help write on a more ongoing basis, there might be other ideas as well. Interested in volunteering through writing and editing? Join the "Volunteer: Writers/Editors" group below!

Filmmakers/Media-makers/Videographers
If you're skilled at digital storytelling and would be interested in working with a student to create multimedia pieces with their photography and voices, please let us know. It's also great to have our events filmed. If you have a camera and the occasional day/evening free, we can use you! Join the "Volunteer: Filmmaker/Media-Maker/Videographer" group below! 

Connectors
Word of mouth is incredibly valuable to us. Have a lot of friends who you could tell CE about? Better yet, have a lot of friends who you'd be willing to invite to our events? Join one of our Host Committees! If you're interested in helping us pack the room, join the "Volunteer: Connectors" group below!

Worker Bees
We regularly need help setting up and taking down our exhibits across the city, making pickups, running events and more. If you're willing to help us with a little elbow grease, it would be much appreciated! Join the "Volunteer: Worker Bees" group below!