Photographer Mariano Pozo travels through Malaga with a photography school against social exclusion

A red van equipped with cameras, software, and projectors that spreads joy. That is what the Nomadic School of Photography F/22 of Mariano Pozo is about, among many other things, because "nothing represents nomadism better than a camper van." What started as an itinerant cultural initiative has solidified into a project with a significant social impact, capable of transforming personal realities through artistic creation to bring photography to every corner of Malaga, "because we all have something to tell and each photograph is a reflection of our daily lives," states Mariano Pozo, the school's director.

After a lifetime dedicated to sports as a photographer for Unicaja, Mariano Pozo felt he needed to change his focus. "I thought about the romantic idea of bringing photography to places where there is less opportunity or to groups with specific issues, so that photography could serve as therapy," he explains.

The sessions of this unique school, which collaborates with the Unicaja Foundation, provide basic notions of photography and editing to users from different associations and groups using a van that functions as a mobile classroom, equipped with everything necessary to teach photography, from cameras to editing software, and even projection equipment.

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The spirit of the workshop is to educate the gaze. The Nomadic School aims for participants not to focus solely on the camera. In fact, mobile phones are the most used tool, "because it's the camera we all carry in our pocket," Pozo explains. They also do not limit themselves to spreading technical knowledge. One of the values they teach their students is to be very aware of their surroundings, "from any place we can take a great photo."

In the workshop, not only do they teach participants, but sometimes, they learn from the students. "We are learning to put ourselves in the shoes of others and how that person with a disability might be feeling. A mother in Torrox told me she wished her son had found more teachers like us, it's very beautiful," he states.

But in the classes, Mariano not only learns, but the experiences also transcend from intellectual to emotional. "I take something from each group," he assures. "But overall, the immense affection you receive when the workshops end is incredible. The first one last year was with a group of mentally disabled children and youth in Alhaurín de la Torre. I have never been told 'I love you' more times in my life than in that workshop," the photographer confesses. Pozo also reveals the story of a 95-year-old student who spent several months isolated at home after her husband's death, and states that "the workshop served as a tool for her to go outside, get excited about something, and create with images."

Photography as a Method of Escape

The workshop is not limited to simple classes, as it encourages participants to go outside, walk, talk about photographs, and look for frames. "When I finish the practical class, I always ask them: What have you thought about these three hours? Did any intrusive thoughts come to mind? And they answer: No, no, no, none," he explains. "So, the time they are out on the street taking photos, they don't think about anything else. They don't think about problems. We have had groups with people with very severe disabilities, and even these individuals have managed to isolate themselves through photography."

The school not only encourages students to take photographs but also promotes them to hold their own exhibitions. "I have cried, my wife, who also participates with me in the workshops, the same," Pozo confesses. "We cry when we see the impact these people have, the huge boost in self-esteem it gives them, showing their family and friends."

But they are not the only ones overwhelmed with emotions. "I also see the heads of the groups crying. The emotion of seeing a person who has not communicated for a week, talk and smile, full and proud, is a very beautiful thing," concludes Pozo.