SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland – TEENAGE mother Antoinette Campbell is determined to fight back, despite her adversities.

After participating in one of the community’s photography camps, sponsored by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation’s eight-year-old Resolution Project, formerly called Youth Zoom, in April, she is now convinced that her true calling in life is to become a professional photographer.

During the camp, Antoinette was exposed to basic photographic skills and advocacy.

“She has an enormous heart and a strong work ethic,” said Saffrey Brown, general manager of the JNBS Foundation, of the positive influence the camp had on the 18- year-old. “Since the Savanna-la-Mar Resolution Project, she has taken on the role of leader for the community’s camera club.”

So impressed was the foundation with the progress that Antoinette made, that it recommended her for a scholarship to participate in a two-day intensive photographic workshop, organised by Social Calendar Jamaica, which was held recently at the University of Technology Centre for the Arts.

The single mother from Barracks Road in Savanna-la-Mar, who got pregnant and dropped out of school at the age of 16, said the workshop was valuable exposure for her. “It was a really wonderful experience,” said the unemployed teenager.

“I learnt about shutter speeds, positioning your subject and many things I didn’t know about before,” she said, “I intend to continue to do photography.”

Antoinette says that she plans to return to school to do several Caribbean Examination Council subjects; however, in the interim, she wants to master the art of photography.

“I would love to be given an opportunity to go back to school. I want to prove to my family that I can do it and to be in a position to provide for my son,” she said.

Kashta Graham, managing director for Social Calendar Jamaica, said the organisation was happy to partner with the JNBS Foundation to sponsor Antoinette’s participation in the workshop, who she said was highly recommended based on her outstanding performance in the Savanna-la-Mar Resolution Project.

“Through this partnership with the JNBS Foundation, Social Calendar JA welcomed the opportunity to give, particularly in terms of investment in our young people,” she said.

Antoinette is the second recipient of such a scholarship. Last month, Michka Walters, a 19-year-old participant in the Granville Resolution Project in St James, also received a chance to upgrade her photographic skills at the workshop. The Granville Resolution Project was held last August in the community of Granville in St James.

Brown said that the exposure Antoinette got at the workshop will not only build her confidence in the art, but will also inspire her to improve herself.

The Resolution Project is an annual programme of the JNBS Foundation, which equips and trains youngsters in rural high schools in photography and advocacy, as tools to inspire positive change in their communities.