YOUR MAGIC IS NEEDED IN THE WORLD.

Transform the Way You See, Listen, and Create

Storytelling School is more than a workshop — it’s a journey into what it means to tell stories that heal, empower, and protect. Whether you’re a photographer, filmmaker, writer, or activist, this is where you learn to use your craft as a tool for transformation.

We believe that stories shape reality — and when told with integrity, they can help shift systems, hearts, and futures.

Why Ethical Storytelling Matters

The way we tell stories determines whose voices are heard and whose truths are honored.
Mainstream storytelling has too often centered power and perpetuated harm. We’re here to change that.

At Storytelling School, we explore storytelling through an ethical, decolonial, and relational lens — guided by the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and grounded in community collaboration.

You’ll learn how to tell stories with people, not about them.

What You’ll Experience

Each workshop is an immersive, hands-on experience that invites you to:

• Unlearn harmful storytelling habits and discover what ethical, decolonial storytelling looks like in practice.

• 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.

• Collaborate in community with other photographers, filmmakers, journalists, and changemakers from around the world.

• Connect with mentors from our global network — including Indigenous leaders, activists, editors, and award-winning storytellers.

You’ll leave not just with new skills, but with a renewed sense of belonging and direction — and a community that will walk beside you long after the workshop ends.

Workshops Around the World

We’ve hosted over 50 Storytelling School workshops across six continents — in partnership with local organizations, movements, and communities. From the Amazon to the Himalayas, from Nairobi to Toronto, our classrooms have always been places of exchange, respect, and transformation.

We also offer virtual workshops to make this learning accessible to storytellers everywhere.

Who It’s For

• Emerging and established photographers, filmmakers, and journalists

• NGOs, educators, and activists seeking to strengthen their storytelling impact

• Anyone curious about using story as a force for healing, equity, and regeneration

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:

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. Photographers Without Borders

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. Photographers Without Borders

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. Photographers Without Borders+1

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. Photographers Without Borders

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. Photographers Without Borders

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. Photographers Without Borders

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. Photographers Without Borders

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. Photographers Without Borders

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.