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A picture-perfect idea

By Jennifer Amy Myers, Sun Staff
Lowell Sun, Lowell, MA
8/17/06

Tyngsboro, Three years ago, with a 7-year-old son and newly adopted baby girl at home, Kathleen Geraghty found herself brainstorming for a way to dabble in her first love, photography, while juggling the demands of motherhood.

Her son, James, approached her for help with his camera, and lightning struck. The duo put their heads together and decided to set forth to create a project that combined kids and cameras, while fostering a knowledge for respect for diverse cultures.

Picture Us, an international and domestic youth photo exchange, was born.
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Kathleen Geraghty is a professional photographer, and cross-cultural coach. She has managed and facilitated diversity programs across the US for college and university students, faculty, and staff, as well as for corporations. Now, through Picture Us, she has the delight of sharing her love for both photography and people with elementary and middle school students around the globe.

Photo by James Geraghty

Picture Us engages participants in the creativity of photography, art, and storytelling. Youth are given an opportunity to share who they are ,and what matters most to them in creative ways that fulfill their need for self-expression. They are given an opportunity to grow by learning new skills in photography, art, language, geography and culture. Programs are full of delightful surprises as guests are welcomed from local communities to share their everyday joys in the arts, and their experiences of growing up or traveling abroad.

Since, February 2, 2003, Picture Us has connected youth in 14 countries, and completed over 35 projects. The non-profit parent organization, Everyday Joy, Inc., was awarded the Gold Star from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in 2006 for bringing arts into the community, and celebrating diversity and creative expression through Picture Us.

Please contact Kathleen Geraghty to learn more.

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