Photography | Philosophy | Philanthropy

Photography course + Award-winning wellbeing course = Creative community activism

“Great course with an high energy, very talented photographer. My daughter started to think out of
the box and loved the practical side to it. She learnt a lot. Wish I had that opportunity at her age.”

Step 1 Photography

Step 1: Photography

Yes we teach you photography but we use it to teach you so much more!
- How to use your cellphone or tablet like a fancy camera.
- How to use the manual settings on your camera if you have one.
- How to edit your photographs
- How to think like a Visual Poet
- Innovation Mindset
  - Creative Thinking
  - How to give and receive compassionate creative critique
  - Grit, resilience, and the magic of failing forward
  - How to go from idea to finished product released into the world.

Step 2 Philosophy

We teach the Embodied Innovation Framework

Head Brain

Where we get our best ideas and how to lay the foundations for them to arrive
Creative problem solving
Innovative thinking
Critical thinking without killing our best ideas before they have had a chance.

Heart Brain

Connection
Collaboration
Self-compassion
Empathy
Compassionate Critical feedback

Gut Brain

Intuition
Responsibility
Doing the right thing at the right time
Accountability
Courage
Mana

Ground Brain (Connecting to Papatuanuku)

Grounding Taking our ideas from vaporous thoughts to manifested reality
Understanding and taking responsibility for what we bring into the world and understanding its impact on others
Iterating to the next better version of our idea.

“These 8 weeks have been a fantastic new experience for me. I was a little nervous at first to meet new people but I am very happy I got over that. There was definitely no reason to be
nervous! The contents of the coarse was great for a beginner like me, we learnt the basic techniques of photography and had a good amount of time to master them. The homework for
the coarse was challenging at times but it took up just the right amount of time. It taught me commitment and grit. Moreover this coarse wasn't just about photography, we talked a lot
about body image and compassion and we learnt to be kind to ourselves and others. Over all I am very glad to have participated, everyone was very welcoming and kind. Mandi, it was an
honour to learn from you, you are an amazing mentor! Thank you so much!”

Yahvi Dhabuwala - 13 - Wellington

Step 3: Philanthropy

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A philanthropist is a person who donates time, money, experience, skills or talent to help create a better world.
Anyone can be a philanthropist, regardless of status or net worth.
It is about being strategic in how you empower others.
In our program, we learn photography so that we can create content for our favourite charities.
The added benefit is that by helping the charities with their creative communication challenges, we make ourselves more relevant in the rapidly changing job market that is in need of creative, resilient, innovators. Win - Win.
We also learn that you don't have to be an adult to make a real difference.

Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity you gave my daughter to participate at your Click Happy course!

In your course she met other girls of similar age and interest and explored her creativity in a very kind and safe environment. Not only did she learn the basics of photography, composition and presentation in a fun and playful manner, moreover the course concentrated on topics like self compassion , body compassion, emotional literacy, mindfulness and resilience. The participants explored emotional needs, learned how to express them artistically and how to present their work without fear of being exposed. Doing this they sometimes had to push through feelings of frustration with grit and tenacity and even ventured outside their comfort zone. The girls learned how to support each other and how to give and receive kind and constructive critique.

What a great tool for kids to learn at this age! I wished this could be part of every school curriculum.

At all times we parents were well informed and included. Several times you contacted us via phone to ensure the girls’ well-being especially when you touched on some more sensitive topics during your course. My daughter and I both felt very well looked after, cared for and safe throughout your course.

Mandi, I think you are an amazing mentor both for creativity and well-being and we hope that you will be able to continue with your great work.

Thank you!

I had a wonderful experience with the Click Happy Program , I didn't expect it would be like this at all , there's a lot of learning and I need to go back to my presentation files and read them again to grasp all the learning as its not just about photography but it teaches you important life skills

Skyler - 11 - Royal Oak Intermediate

I've developed my creativity and grit and learned more about some important concepts in photography.

Humaira - 16 - Zayed College for Girls

Now when I take photos I think more about the story, angles, composition and lots more that makes a good photo instead of just pushing down the button.

Hazel - 12 - Royal Oak Intermediate

I am grittier and am more confident that I can complete long term goals and tasks like this course. It made me persevere and find new ways to problem solve and think outside the box. I liked the PAD challenge, & even though sometimes I edited all my photos at once I’m very very proud of myself for taking a photo every single day - 42/42!!

Gin - 15 - Waiopehu College

I’m more confident in my control over the outcome of an image through using manual settings and have become more free in the way I make my images.

Dani - 16 - Homeschooler

Everyone there is so kind with great positive feedback also to help improve, and i've learnt so much about photography since the beginning

Ariana - 12 - Chilton St. James

I feel that I have became more confident in taking photos in general. It used to be quite scary taking photos in public but I have grown the confidence to that now.

Scarlett - 13 - Nga Tawa

"Getting me into the community a lot more than what I'm used to and I loved how it made you more aware of the beautiful scenes around us that we don't realize on a day to day basis. I also like the way Click Happy along with Mandi was so helpful when I was at the bottom of the grit pit"

Jayden - 13 - Te Kura Kaupapa O Pohutukawa MSWA

("the grit pit" is when you stretch out of your comfort zone and find yourself struggling or in a free fall as you transition between what you know and what is unknown but where good growth lies. I showed this in a diagram but the kids labeled it themselves "the Grit Pit")

I used to be a very shy and nonindependent person, Click Happy helped me learn that I can be myself, I know that i have Definitely grown as a person this summer. I enjoyed Meeting new people, having such a great teacher and student mentors (Mandi you are always so supportive and positive. You give me feedback that makes me so happy and feel like I have accomplished something). I also really liked doing new challenges eg things u would never do.

Jessie - 12 - St Josephs (2021) St Kevins College (2022)

I've become more confident in my photography skills. I am grittier. I am not afraid to fail forward, and I have met a lot of new people who are passionate about the same things I am.

Jumana - 13 - Hamilton Girls' High School

Thanks to Click Happy, I'm not afraid to be myself, and to express my creativity through photography.

Jun - 18 - Graduate of Papakura Highschool

I am more confident in my photography skills and less afraid to step out of my comfort zone, to make mistakes and take risks.

Sariah - 16 - TKKM ō Te Kotuku

For me Click happy was a great way to extend further outside my comfort zone. I have never really been somebody who liked posting pictures of myself but Click Happy has been a really great space in experimenting with self portraits and other various skills. I have learned that perfection isn’t everything and that even if I don’t finish something, tomorrow gives me reason to try harder and create something new and inspiring. I am not afraid to fail, I am more experimental and I have gained more experience through this course.

Kriya - 14 - Carmel College

My skills have definitely gotten better. I found out a way that I can sorta tell a story within photography which I find really useful.

Sydney - 15 - Taupo Nui-a-Tia College

I've of course become more confident in my photography skills but also I have learned persistence and becoming a more strong and independent person.

Amber - 13 - Caramel College

What Schools are saying about our program

Our journey in 2021

Sounds Great! How do I get involved?

Click on the link below that represents you

Contact Us

Our wonderfully amazing brilliant funders & sponsors

Every Body Is A Treasure Charitable Trust

Funders & Sponsors 2020/2021/2022/2023/2024

	Far North Rodney North Shore Waitakere City Manukau Papakura Franklin Kirikiriroa / Hamilton City South Waikato Rotorua Tongariro Hutt Valley Wellington Central Otago Coastal Otago / Waitaki Wairarapa Kahungunu Ki Heretaunga Tamatea / Tamaki-Nui-A-Rua Great Barrier Manawatu / Horowhenua Whanganui / Waimarino / Rangitikei Auckland City South Taranaki Marlborough Mataatua Whangarei / Kaipara	Invercargill Henderson Kaipatiki Masterton Manukau Waikato Hamilton Wellington West Auckland Papakura North Shore Waitomo Rangitīkei Dunedin Taupo Whangarei



And Youth Librarians! We had no idea how amazing these community treasures are until recently! Thank you to all of the Youth Librarians who have seen the beauty in the project and have invited us to bring it to their region and who are helping to spread the word. You have halved our work and quintupled the number of youth who get to experience this program. What gifts!