TJ’s Photo Club kick starts the year with a flourish of activity.
Senior Ryan Woods aims to take the best shot for Photo Club. Photo by Tori Wallace
Not everyone has the ability to artistically record and preserve the most shocking, moving, and beautiful instants that this world has to offer. For some students, photography is a mere hobby, but others describe it as a lifestyle. Thomas Jefferson’s passionate Photo Club has started to gear up for a new year of capturing life’s finest moments.
The club kicked off its first meeting of the school year at lunch on Thursday, the 13th of September, to discuss new plans and upcoming excursions. Members of the close-knit, yet growing group said how they couldn’t be more thrilled to begin preparation for the upcoming crisp season’s outings and projects. They meet every second Tuesday of the month in Photography Teacher Jeff Coleman’s classroom in the CCT Magnet hallway to collaborate on ideas of where to go for group photo shoots or what projects to take on. Photo member, Reece Cochren, eagerly exclaimed, “I’m really excited for the opportunity to take many more trips this year!”
Members range from seniors who have had both the Photo 1 and 2 courses, to sophomores just embarking on the long adventure in the snapshot world. There are no requirements to join, and the club encourages every type of photographer; whether novice or skilled.
Group sponsor, Jeff Coleman, notes that the main difference between the club and the Photojournalism classes is the primary factor of group excursions. He adds that the somewhat less structured feel allows for a broader collection of image material to be obtained. “The club expands the range of possible subject matter through a number of annual excursions, ” he states.
A few of the photographers completed the group’s first project on Saturday night, September 22. They took turns running shifts for a portrait stand in the main hallway outside the auditorium at the Homecoming dance; giving students the gift of remembering the night they’ll one day tell their children. Peter Golledge described the experience saying, “We learned how to carry out business while gaining photography business experience.”
Last year members participated in an early morning trip to capture the sunrise downtown, and also received the opportunity to take images with high priority access at a Colorado Rapids game. The club also went on a trip to get long-exposures of the highway at night on the Franklin Street overpass, and was involved in providing photo coverage for a DPS fundraiser. Some of them also participated at the state level Photography competition at the annual Skills USA contest, with club member Ryan Woods ranking in the top three.
President and Vice President, Amanda Koziol and Henna Danek, respectively, declared their lively enthusiasm for the school year, confirming their delight for the addition of the newest members. The two concurred, affirming, “We’re quite happy about the club’s expansion, and can’t wait for our first whole-group outing!”
Coleman’s only expectation for the club is hope that it grows, is able to have more excursions each month, and the desire to expand the variety of those setting types. “We plan to move beyond our normal urban settings, to shoot in some foothill and mountain locations,” he adds.
All members agree that Photo Club contributes an artistic and talented edge to the school’s character. They add that it has been and will continue, as an exciting and fun addition to the plethora of TJ activities.
