YOU are a storyteller, and storytellers wield power
We believe that stories shape reality — and when told with integrity, they can help shift systems, hearts, and futures.
Why Ethical, REVOLUTIONARY Storytelling Matters
Reality is determined by what we believe is possible.
We are empowering the next generation of storytellers to realize their power and to document what the world needs at this time so that we can bring about the realities of our wildest dreams.
It all starts with the process.
Changing your process changes the story, and that changes everything.
Transform the Way You See, Listen, and Create
Each workshop is an immersive, practical experience that invites you to:
Promote healing, undo harm. Unlearn harmful storytelling habits and discover what ethical, decolonized storytelling looks like in practice through guided discussions, case studies, and reflective exercises.
Develop a deeper sense of purpose and clarity about why you tell stories and who you tell them for.
Build practical skills in narrative design, interviewing, visual ethics, consent-based photography, and impact strategy through exercises and/or assignments depending on the course format.
Collaborate in community with other photographers, filmmakers, journalists, and changemakers from around the world in our live workshops.
We offer virtual workshops to make this learning accessible to storytellers everywhere.
Who ARE THESE COURSES For?
Anyone who does storytelling
Emerging and established photographers, filmmakers, and journalists
NGOs, educators, and activists seeking to strengthen their storytelling impact
Anyone curious about ethical storytelling
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at info@photographerswithoutborders.org.
available courses
Please register for the courses that interest you below while we have space:
INTRO TO VIDEO DOCUMENTARY
Included in Professional Membership (click here to upgrade or purchase). This self-guided course takes you step-by-step through how to make a documentary. Includes everything you need to know and keeps everything nice and simple.
CONSERVATION & OUTDOORS STORYTELLING
Included in Professional Membership (click here to upgrade or purchase). This course has everything you need to not only learn how to decolonize your approach to conservation & outdoors storytelling, but also how to create a pitch deck for your projects and to get funded!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is Storytelling School?
Storytelling School is a series of immersive workshops and courses focused on ethical, decolonial, and relational storytelling. It’s designed to help photographers, filmmakers, writers, and changemakers transform how they listen, see, and create stories that heal, empower, and protect.
2. Who is Storytelling School for?
Storytelling School is for:
Emerging and established photographers, filmmakers, and journalists
NGOs, educators, and activists who want to strengthen their storytelling impact
Anyone curious about using story as a force for healing, equity, and regeneration
You don’t need to be a professional — people at different skill levels can benefit.
3. What kinds of workshops and courses are offered?
Courses include (but aren’t limited to):
Impact Storytelling (virtual, multi-session workshop)
Ethical Storytelling Certificate
Conservation & Outdoors Storytelling (self-guided)
Introduction to Video Storytelling (self-guided)
In-person community-based workshops like Storytelling School India 2026
These cover narrative design, visual ethics, interviewing, consent-based photography, and impact strategy.
4. Do I have to have previous professional experience to join?
No — Storytelling School is open to photographers and visual storytellers of all levels, including emerging creators and enthusiasts who want to deepen their ethical practice and narrative skills.
5. What makes Storytelling School different from other photography workshops?
Storytelling School isn’t just about technical skills — it’s about ethical, relational storytelling. You’ll learn how to create stories with people, not about them, guided by principles like Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), community collaboration, and decolonial practices.
6. Are there in-person and virtual options?
Yes — the School offers both virtual workshops and in-person immersive experiences around the world, making the learning accessible to a broad range of participants.
7. Do I need to be a Photographers Without Borders member to join a course?
Membership isn’t strictly required to register for many of the courses, but members often get more value from the experience and access to community resources. Scholarships are also available for participants with financial need.
8. What will I gain from taking Storytelling School?
You will:
Unlearn harmful or extractive storytelling habits
Strengthen your ethical and impact-focused narrative skills
Build connections with a global community of storytellers
Gain clarity on your purpose and the stories you want to tell
Learn practical techniques for interviewing, narrative design, and visual ethics
The experience is described as both a professional and personal journey. Photographers Without Borders
9. How is the Ethical Storytelling Certificate different from Storytelling School?
The Ethical Storytelling Certificate is a specific virtual course that hones your ethical framework and visual literacy skills. Other Storytelling School workshops may broaden into practical, immersive storytelling practices beyond just the certificate curriculum.
10. Can I take multiple courses or repeat Storytelling School?
Yes — participants often take multiple workshops or courses to deepen their skills, and many return for different experiences (virtual, in-person, self-guided) to continue their learning journey.
We also offer private B2B opportunities for training and capacity-development. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at info@photographerswithoutborders.org or book a call here.
GRADUATE CENTRE
Take a look at some work from our former Storytelling School grads:
Anyone can join our courses, but you will get the most out of the experience by being a member. Learn more about joining our community here. We also have scholarships available for those with financial needs available to members.
This virtual, 4-part workshop is for photographers of all levels and styles of photography (documentary, portraiture/self-portraiture, nature, and more) who wish to learn how to create, curate and narrate a visual story.
We highly recommend doing the Ethical Storytelling Certification beforehand so you can practice applying the skills and techniques in a practical way.