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With cameras in hand and one eye placed firmly on the viewfinder, a group of nine students took to the streets and backyards of Immokalee to photograph a slice of their lives there. The children, who range from 3 to 17 years old, live or recently have lived at the Immokalee Friendship House, a place where families find temporary shelter if they are without a home.

After giving them each disposable digital cameras donated by CVS, Naples Daily News photographer Lexey Swall-Bobay took two groups on two-hour forays over two days.

“Each child who participated was really excited to get the cameras in their hands.” Swall-Bobay says. “I taught them a few things to look for when taking pictures and the idea of using different angles. But I didn’t want to give them too many rules, because the uninhibited eye is more creative.

“It was interesting to watch the kids shoot photos in the same locations and to see how different their pictures came out. Even at their young age, they have a point of view, and I think that shows in the images.”

Recently a group of community leaders assembled to judge the photos and select one for a holiday greeting card. The cards will be sold in boxes of six and proceeds will go to the Immokalee Friendship House. They’ll be available at the Visitors’ Information Center in the Coastland Mall, Robert’s Ranch and Lozano’s Mexican Restaurant in Immokalee — but the cost has not been determined yet.

The winning photo was taken by 12-year-old Manuel Perez, who won an annual family pass to Collier County Parks and Recreation’s Sun-N-Fun Lagoon for his efforts. His image of crated fruit awaiting sale at the Pin-Hookers Market resonated with the judges.

“These kids shared their world through their photos. All were marvelously moving, some joyful, some unique and a few quite sad,” said Michael Reagen, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and one of the judges. “It was tough to choose, but the winner had a unique perspective and clarity of vision.”