An award winning photographer has launched a new camera club initiative, which aims to help young people express themselves through art.The club, called Through the Lens: See What they See, is geared at helping students use photography as a tool to show what Bermuda looks like through their eyes.It will benefit children aged nine to 13 from the Pembroke Central area and is something photographer Tamell Simons admitted he always wanted to do.“I have always been involved in some level of teaching and I saw a need for it,” said Mr Simons, the deputy chief photographer for The Royal Gazette.He was yesterday given a $4,000 financial boost from Youth, Families, Sport and Community Development Minister Glenn Blakeney to get the project up and running by January.Mr Blakeney said: “The Government of Bermuda is pleased to be able to assist Mr Simons in what we feel is such a worthwhile endeavor for our young people.“With so much recent negativity in the media about certain areas of our Island, Through the Lens provides a unique opportunity for young people who live in those areas to express how they feel about their neighborhoods and, I anticipate, present them to us in a much different light.”Mr Simons also praised Government for the donation and said it would help him to advance the initiative with “mutual understanding of its goals and potential”.He added: “It is with the upmost respect and gratitude that I personally thank those in Government for making this project a reality.“Special thanks to MP Ashfield DeVent, Minister of Public Information Services, Neletha Butterfield and last, but certainly not least, Mr Blakeney who got behind this project and made it happen.”Students will start by taking pictures in their own neighbourhoods and will cover a cross section of Bermuda's culture over the ten-week period from sporting events to church functions.Applicants must be referred to the programme by school principles, art teachers or area MPs and will have to commit to a minimum of two lessons per week, including one weekend day.Mr Simons said: “The idea is to offer a balanced view of Bermuda. I want students to come away from this experience with a deeper level of respect and understanding for their community and Bermuda as a whole, along with a foundation for the art of photography.”In addition to learning about the craft, students will have to participate in group community service projects, like a neighbourhood clean up at least once a month. .Students will also have a role in deciding which areas they photograph and will put together exhibitions, newsletters and web content with pictures they have taken.Their work will be featured in roaming photo exhibitions throughout the Island and in potential partnerships with local media, said a Government spokeswoman.Mr Simons has received numerous awards throughout his professional career, including the Bermuda Gold Award, VIP Excellence Award, Ridgeway and the Queen's Certificate/Badge of Honour.He has also worked with a group of clients from the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute over the past two years in a programme called “Photo Voice”.