The 23 October 2011 Van Earthquake had a huge impact on our life, however, it also allowed hopes for social solidarity to emerge. The sorrow of people who passed away persisted; new settlements, tent cities, prefabricated homes were being built; children, the future of our society were enduring all manners of difficulties along with adults; and life went on, despite tough conditions.

Various art activities were carried out with children during this process. Activists and volunteers, either individuals or from institutions from all corners of the country organized events to soothe the pain and overcome the trauma. One of such events was the photography workshop organized at the Lale-1 container city and the Bostaniçi Area from 4 June to 2 September 2012.

The process during Van Photographer Children Workshop was more important than the outcomes. Children became part of this process with all their creativity despite the trauma they lived due to the earthquake. Together with twenty two professional photographers from Van, Diyarbakır and İstanbul; 250 children and teenagers under the age of 18, created a visual archive that reflects their point of view. Photographs shot by the participant children and teenagers during the workshops were exhibited first in Van, where they were produced, and then in Cezayir and Galatasaray Square in İstanbul.

The event was organized in collaboration with Anadolu Kültür, Galata Fotoğrafhanesi, Photography Foundation and Nar Photos and with the support of Garanti Bank.

The Van Municipality, the Bostaniçi Municipality, the Van Women's Association, the Van Governorate, Van Provincial Culture and Tourism Directorate and the Beyoğlu Municipality also contributed to the event.

A book titled Van in Children's Photographs was published in November 2012.