Building Futures: Photographing the IUPAT Job Corps in Miami
Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Job Corps program in Miami, a hands-on initiative that equips young people with the skills they need for solid careers in the trades. Working alongside Eric Howard from IUPAT and Samuel Torres from Job Corps, I got an inside look at a program that’s changing lives by providing real-world training in painting, finishing, drywall, and glasswork.
Capturing this shoot meant stepping into the daily grind of the students—observing their focus, the precision in their craft, and the camaraderie that forms when people work toward a common goal. The details stood out: the careful stroke of a paintbrush, the steady hands perfecting a surface, and the quiet moments of concentration that turn raw skills into mastery.
The facility is located in Miami Gardens, a city renowned for its incredible Caribbean food. After a full morning of shooting, we took a well-earned break for lunch, where I had curried goat—a first for me, and absolutely delicious. It was the perfect meal to refuel before heading back to capture more of the program in action.
It’s always rewarding to document people who are passionate about what they do. The IUPAT Job Corps is helping young workers build real futures, and I was honored to capture that story.
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