Uvalde school shooting survivors tell their stories through photos

Eight young survivors of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, joined ABC News to help tell their stories in the wake of the tragedy.

In a series of workshops, they learned the fundamentals of photography – starting with the technical operation of their cameras and ending with advice on how to visualize and capture their emotions through photos.

Their images showcased their lives by focusing on what people, places and things mean the most to them. Portraits of their parents and pets and close-ups of memorials around town demonstrated what the children say makes them feel safe, makes them feel happy and who they look up to.

"I've never had one of these things before. It's a cool experience," Noah, 10, said about using his camera.

An added bonus to the project – the students said they forged new friendships with the other students through the monthlong experience based out of the El Progreso Memorial Library in Uvalde.

"I love being with everybody," said Athena, 9. "Most of all, like, to me, I like meeting new people."

The children of Uvalde who participated in the photography project described their hometown, outside San Antonio, in many different ways -- "fun," "nice," "busy" and "small." When asked to capture what Uvalde means to them through their photography, they visited places where the community congregates most – schools, libraries and the memorials honoring the victims of the shooting.

Khloie, 11, said she believes Uvalde deserves to be seen as the joyful place that it is, despite the tragedy that it has become known for. "Uvalde is a really fun place, even though there's been a lot going on through the past few months," she said. "It's really cool. And I think people should come visit more often."

Families, and the memories they make together, are important pillars for the children of Robb.

When the children were asked about what makes them happy, many of them responded by listing members of their family.

"I love that I have a big family and they're caring. They always like to help people," said Madison, 10.

Happiness for the children in Uvalde takes many shapes.

Noah, 10, said he finds comfort in drawing, playing video games and watching TV.

"They just make me feel relaxed," he said.

For Daniel, 10, a photo of his mom and his little brother and sister together represents what made him happy.

As the children of Robb look for some kind of normalcy following the May 24 tragedy, many of them have sought out safe places or people to lean on in the process.

For Noah, it's the constant company of the two parakeets he cares for in his bedroom. "The blue one is named Rico and the green one was named Saul," he said.

Madison said she feels safe when she's at church praying with her family. "Because I can talk to God. And I know I am safe there," she said.

This is just one part of ABC News' Uvalde:365 project, a yearlong series about how the community is recovering following the tragedy.

For a look at how the children turned from students to photojournalists, watch the video above.