Omid joined the Tynesiders project through a partnership with Action Foundation, a registered charity supporting asylum seekers and refugees in Newcastle Upon Tyne. We offered members of the service the opportunity to participate in our ‘Tynesiders’ project, learning photography and media skills to tell their unique stories of migration. 

Omid, one of the participants of the Action Foundation project really embraced the photography skills elements of the project. Omid took a genuine interest in learning how to use the SLR camera and supported by Jacob the Headliners Project Journalist’s guidance, created a series of images that are technically skilled and creative. Until signing up to this project, Omid hadn’t picked up a camera before and although at first nervous to hold the camera and select features, it wasn’t long before Omid was changing the settings and trying new ideas.

Choosing to shoot in black and white, Omid spent time capturing images in and around the local community where the Action Foundation hold their drop in, in Newcastle. He was very interested in framing shots and drawing focus using lines and symmetry in his photography.

(Images from Omid's final exhibition)

Omid submitted 5 images for his exhibition which he entitled ‘New and Different’ he accompanied this with text that included ‘I love everything here, Tyneside. Because everything is new and different for me. There’s good security. I like the freedom with law. How it deals with humanitarian issues. I like the languages. I like all the places; I like the houses, rivers, beaches and the people. I feel safe’.

As part of the #Tynesiders project, Omid has also achieved his OCN Level 1 in Photography.

Omid’s images can be seen in the #Tynesiders online exhibition

This story was written by our Tynesider's project worker and produced as part of our Tynesider's Programme 

With thanks to our funders The Heritage Lottery Fund