This November, I traveled across the country for another national convention, the largest in the 85 year history of the Journalism Education Association. There were about 6,500 participants. I presented on photography portfolios and digital story telling. I also judged and critiqued photos. (Looking for a photo credit for the gallery below.)
This is also the first year that I presented my own work. I showed students my project on Mothers of Angels and epilepsy. I brought a few of my Blurb books, and discussed my blog, especially the timely post about a tattoo story at Timberland High School that had been censored by Principal Winston Rogers and Assistant Superintendent Melody Marcantonio. We also discussed how photographers and story tellers can tell meaningful stories with new technologies, and I explained why the URL below was relevant to the tattoo story.( http://morethankids.typepad.com/more_than_kids/2009/11/principal-winston-rogers-timberland-high-school-melody-marcantonio.html)
But enough about me, because these conferences are not about the adults. These conferences are about the students. And I would like to comment about a few former students.
In the portfolio presentation, Mark Murray and I use the high school portfolio from Zach Hetrick. He is currently a college student who shoots professionally. Visit his site at www.zachhetrick.com. When I first saw his work, I was overwhelmed. He was clearly the best shooter at that year's convention. Zach also impressed Rich Clarkson, who is one of the most influential sports photographers ever, and who happened to be judging with us.
However, what impresses me most about Zach has very little to do with his photography. Zach is simply a good person. I have learned how to be a better person by watching him. He works hard. He asks for advice. He follows good advice, and he helps people. Because he tries to get better, he gets better. Because he listens to advice, people want to help him. Because he realizes that he doesn't know everything, he keeps learning, and he ends up knowing more than most people.
Ariana McLaughlin is another memorable former student. Check out her site at ( www.arianamclaughlin.com ) I still remember a few of Ariana's photos, but just like Zach, it was Ariana's personality that set her apart. Ariana knew what she wanted, and she went after it. Of course, not all students know what they want in high school, so many students go to these conferences and learn that they don't want to be a writer or photographer. But there are many students who don't try. Ariana tried. She and her mother spent hours drinking coffee and eating meals with me and Dave LaBelle. They met the other photographers and photography educators. The kept in touch during the year. They came prepared.
Even after Ariana chose a college, she has stayed in contact with Dave LaBelle. (You can see LaBelle's story in a video too). Before Ariana arrived at each conference, she was prepared. At the conference, she used her time wisely. And after the conference, she kept using her contacts. I was also impressed with her mother. Besides supporting her daughter dreams, Sandy Jean McLaughlin made sure that Ariana met with the right people. Many parents attends conferences as chaperons, but I think the parents spend more time sight seeing and visiting museums or zoos. What could be more exciting than chasing a dream and meeting people who can help you become successful at what you want to do?
I have added these students links for a few reasons. First, I want to acknowledge them. Secondly, I want high school students to see what college students are doing. Thirdly, I want to increase web traffic to their sites. And fourthly, I want those who have been in my sessions to notice that both use Livebooksedu, one of the sites I recommend. (I recommend other sites too, such as Photoshelter.)
There are many students who don't follow my suggestions, and I do not judge those students. Often, students are asking themselves, "Do I want to become a photographer?" Many times, students answer their own question, and usually the answer is "no." This is a fine answer. However, there are many students who enjoy photography or visual story telling, and really want to know how to get better, and there are people who are willing to help.
We are looking for the next Zach Hetrick and Ariana McLaughlin.
by the way, I am also looking for the person I loaned my camera during my presentation so I can give him photo credit.
JEA DC Presentations - Images by bryan farley
Before CNAME became permanent, this was the origninal link: http://morethankids.typepad.com/more_than_kids/2009/11/jea-photography-zach-hetrick-ariana-mclaughlin.html
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