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Our History

Elisa Thomson, a passionate educator, entrepreneur, and photographer, founded Outside The Lens (OTL) in 2001, with a vision to empower youth to tell their stories through photography.

What started as a grassroots program for refugee and immigrant youth using disposable cameras to capture their experiences, grew into the robust nonprofit you see today.

For more than 20 years, Outside The Lens has made a significant impact on the lives of more than 27,000 youth through its adaptable curriculum and programs. OTL has targeted underserved communities, including San Diego’s Juvenile Court and Community schools, providing a platform for creative expression and media literacy.

2001

Elisa Thomson founded Outside the Lens to empower youth to tell their stories through photography.

2009

Launched Youth Council, engaging teens in photography, film, and mixed media, building skills and confidence for creative pathways and social change.

2011

Officially established as a 501c3 nonprofit, OTL expanded its capacity to create a larger impact.

2013

Presented at the Best of Out-Of-School Time Conference (BOOST) national conference

2015-2017

Presented at the National Association for Media Literacy Conference (NAMLE) national conference, led youth media-making workshops, and received funding from the US Department of State to lead a filmmaking intensive for youth in Bosnia-Herzegovina

2017

An OTL film debuted at the 16th Annual Mediterranean Film Festival, showcasing the organization’s global impact and commitment to empowering youth through media arts

2019

OTL introduced Media Makers, a pilot program providing media arts education to young adults ages 18-25 with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In 2023, OTL welcomed Sarah Beckman as the new Executive Director, bringing a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership and a passion for our mission. With her expertise and vision, we’ve strengthened our infrastructure, developed our new state-of-the-art media space, and expanded our community outreach with events like OTL Open House and Voice Out: A Youth Media Arts Exhibition.

With a focus on organizational excellence, program innovation, community engagement, and youth leadership, we’re building on our legacy to amplify youth voices through media arts. With increased opportunities to explore creative pathways, we’re empowering the next generation of storytellers, artists, and changemakers.