Wings for Wheels is an organization that hosts various events for people with special needs. For the past seven years, they’ve organized a summer camp this year also that took place from July 19th to 26th in Raiskuma Parish.

I’ve participated in this camp as a photographer for the second year, and this year I also gave a photography workshop. The session was more of a brief introduction to photography, where I shared my experience and worked individually with each participant to help them understand their camera’s functionality.

This camp means so much more to me than just an ordinary summer camp. When I first attended last year, I found it emotionally very challenging to take photos. I felt a kind of guilt — how could I dare to photograph people in wheelchairs?

Every year, the camp hosts a kind of picnic around a bonfire, where anyone who wants can share their life story. Listening to these stories allowed me to step into their shoes and understand the challenges these people face. It made me realize that my own difficulties are nothing compared to theirs.

This experience inspired me to continue participating, and I returned again this year. I hope to keep being part of this event as long as it continues to be organized. Seeing how these people fight through adversity, yet remain cheerful and full of life, is incredibly humbling. It has profoundly changed the way I view life.

I want to sincerely thank the event organizer, Kaspars & Evelyn, for giving me the wonderful opportunity to be part of these events.

In this gallery, you’ll find a selection of photos from this year’s camp.