Second Shot is a nonprofit project created by two rising juniors from Brooklyn Technical High School: Michael Katz and Tahmid Faraque. We created Second Shot with a desire to help young creators who lack access to the gear and equipment they need to progress in their journey of media creation. Sharing an interest in engineering and visual arts, we teamed up to redistribute and refurbish cameras that are forgotten but never lost their purpose: to create art. We are both from New York City, with Tahmid growing up in the Bronx and Michael growing up in Queens. Having lived in New York for all our lives, we both have come to discover just how much passion for art and creativity exists in our city. However, we both realized that although so many people share a passion for visual arts, not everyone has access to the necessary resources. This is why we created Second Shot. We both believe that just because newer technology continues to replace older technology doesn’t mean that older technology is worthless. Constantly, newer technology replaces the old, and the old becomes a forgotten memory lying on shelves or being thrown out. Seeing this gap, we decided to tackle the challenge of acquiring these cameras, polishing them, refurbishing the broken ones, and redistributing them to the young creators who need them most.
My name is Michael Katz, and I'm a 15-year-old student at Brooklyn Technical High School. I'm really passionate about photography, videography, fashion, aviation, and engineering. Fashion paired with visual arts is my best form of self-expression. I love how clothes give me the ability to create a personal form of identity, while photography gives me the creative freedom to capture the moment and express my identity. Fashion and visual arts are so special to me because they offer the ability to create. Similarly, engineering gives me the freedom to create, making it very appealing to my creative mind. I've always been captivated by the complexity of how things work. Outside of my creative life, aviation has been one of my biggest hobbies and fascinations. Currently, I'm training for a private pilot's license, with over 20 hours of flying already completed. Nevertheless, Second Shot allows me to combine my passion for visual arts and love for engineering as I learn how to refurbish cameras while exercising my love for photography by helping others get the tools they need to enjoy the art.
Michael Katz
Founder
My name is Tahmid Faruque, and I am a 15-year-old rising junior at Brooklyn Technical High School, where I am majoring in Mechatronics and Robotics. I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. I've always been passionate about photography, engineering, fashion, illustration, and soccer. While my interests differ by many factors, they all have one thing in common. They allow me to be creative and turn ideas into something meaningful. Whether I'm taking photos, designing clothing, building projects, or drawing, I can create things that can inspire others. My partner and I started Second Shot because I believe every young creator deserves an equal chance of expressing themselves. Through this project, I hope to repair and redistribute cameras to young people who may not have access to them, helping them discover their creativity and pursue their passions. For me, Second Shot is more than a nonprofit. It's a way to combine my love for engineering, photography, and community service to create opportunities for others.
Tahmid Faraque
Co-founder
A Quick Note
This project's impact on us
Second Shot has had a critical impact on me, shaping my character as a student, teenager, and photographer. Initially, I was uncertain about the feasibility of this project. I had doubts about being able to confidently contact professors, darkroom managers, stores, and other photographers. Starting this project was a massive leap of faith for me. Nonetheless, simply sending out my first inquiries to other people I had found online helped me just start. When the project started, I went all in. I learned how to align people with our mission and include them as a part of it. My self-discipline grew as I had to stay focused on persistently sending emails, building a website, and picking up cameras. This project brought a plethora of lessons. For one, I learned how to build a social network. With every email I sent, I had to learn how to deal with the rejections and lack of responses. When emails turned out successful, I had to learn how to build a network with the partners and supporters we established. Moreover, this project is helping me learn more about one of my biggest passions: photography. This project allows me to learn how cameras work and how to fix them. As a student going into an electrical engineering major at Brooklyn Tech, learning more about cameras allows me to exercise my engineering mind. Thus, this project doesn't just prepare me for my future in engineering but is teaching me how to employ my passions to help others and make an impact.
A Note From Michael
(Founder)
When Michael had told me about his idea for Second Shot NYC, I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t sure how big of a success this project could be. But as we started talking more about the idea, I realized that so many cameras do sit unused in closets, offices, and studios. Growing up in the city, I have seen how access to opportunities are not always equal; so many young people dream about becoming a creator but simply can’t afford the equipment to get started. This project was more for creating opportunities than just repairing cameras. We began reaching out to organizations, researching nonprofits, and learning how to communicate with professionals. Every email we sent made the project feel more real. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me that making the impact that we planned starts with taking initiative. As a student majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, this project gave me a head start on the skills of fixing and understanding technology. Every camera has mechanical and electronic components. Instead of letting equipment go to waste, I am able to use my engineering skills to restore it so someone else can benefit from it. Overall, I was taught how to give cameras a second life by repairing and refurbishing them, and developing skills in troubleshooting, patience, and attention to detail. I had gained confidence in myself and my ability to solve problems, learn new skills, and take on challenges.
