Our INSPAration
Empathy - For Yourself & Others
We believe that the magic and art of photography can inspire schools, students, and their families to become the very best version of themselves. In nurturing every child’s right to discover, participate in and love life, INSPA aims to build a future generation of people who practice and cultivate empathy. Empathy is a wholesome quality and skill which is strongly underpinned by the values of Confidence, Resilience, Connection, Kindness, and Readiness.
The world is a rapidly changing place and children need the right support and tools to prepare for their daily challenges and to develop the abilities to shape the best future for themselves and others. In the past, our society and culture have focused almost entirely on academic attainment and grading, largely ignoring more wholesome approaches to life skills, intelligence, creativity, and well-being.
1. Confidence - Believing in Yourself to Help
To empathise, one must be willing to step outside oneself and into the perspective of another. This requires some self-assurance.
Confidence empowers people to express their feelings and also receive others' emotions without defensiveness.
In education: Students need confidence to speak, listen, and engage in emotional learning without fear of being wrong or vulnerable.
Photography can empower children to express their unique perspective, and build self-assurance as they see their creativity valued and recognised.
2. Resilience - Staying with Tough Times
Empathy doesn’t shield you from emotional discomfort, it often increases it. But resilience allows you to stay with difficult emotions without shutting down.
Students exposed to others’ pain or injustice may feel overwhelmed. Emotional resilience helps them process rather than avoid these feelings.
Resilience gives empathy its stamina.
Through trial and error in capturing images, children learn to embrace mistakes and keep trying, developing persistence and problem-solving skills.
3. Connection - Understanding Each Other’s Feelings
Empathy is about connection. This is the heart of human relationships.
Young people use empathy to form real friendships, understand differences, and feel part of a larger community.
Empathy builds connection, and connection reinforces empathy - a virtuous circle.
Taking and sharing photos encourages children to engage with their surroundings and other people, fostering stronger relationships and a sense of belonging.
4. Kindness - Showing You Care
Empathy is often distinguished from passive feeling as it should lead to action. This is where kindness comes in.
Kindness is empathy made visible through choices and behavior.
In schools, kindness is the most immediate and tangible outcome of emotional awareness. Empathy is the insight; kindness is the response.
Photography helps children notice and appreciate the world and different perspectives more deeply, nurturing empathy and compassion through observation and storytelling.
5. Readiness - Being Prepared to Help
To empathise fully, one must be emotionally and cognitively prepared.
Readiness transforms empathy from a vague intention into a skill with structure and impact.
In education, readiness means building vocabulary, emotional literacy, and a safe environment where empathy can be practiced.
Exploring photography builds focus, patience, and planning. Essential skills that support readiness for learning and adapting to new and unexpected situations.