Commentary: End of year wrap-up

Having a desire to capture moments has been part of my life for two years now. I can’t say that I was the best photographer or even a good one. But I can say that watching people tell a story through an image never failed to amaze me.

This year has taught me so much from actually finding the right lighting and setting up my camera, to discovering social skills that I didn’t even know I had. I’ve learned that to be a good photographer you have to be able to talk to your subject, to make them feel more comfortable in order to get that picture perfect moment.

Personally, I’ve never really been part of a team like this. This was not just another class that I went to and waited for it to end. Everyone seemed to have a different personality and actually cared for each other. Due to the small class of seven photojournalists, it created a family. It was something that surprised me, but also gave me a safe place to come to after a long day. Going up to random people and asking for an interview wasn’t really part of my vocabulary. But being a part of photojournalism challenged me to push my limits and strive to be a more social person. I learned to be professional in every situation that was thrown at me. I would have never thought that it was going to impact this much from the beginning of this year.

An event that stood out to me this year was when Jeff Fabry from Break the Barriers spoke to us during our chapel time. I was fortunate enough to take pictures of this amazing event. This is when I realized that getting a good angle and looking for small details was crucial. Fabry lost his arm and then was paralyzed which forced him to a wheel chair, but instead of doing nothing about it he decided to take up archery. My Journalist teachers, Kori Friesen and Greg Stobbe kept telling me over and over to get close ups on him barring down on his bow. Thats when I realized, I was part of a important event and I need to tell people who couldn’t be there a story like no other through my photos.

It’s always a joy taking pictures of sports, homecoming and chapel, but when I get away from the hustle and bustle of a never ending school day, taking pictures at my own pace just made my love for photography grow. I had the opportunity to take pictures of the annual Fresno County Blossom Trail. If I had to choose my favorite event to learn from, it had to have been this one. Being able to relax and take pictures of things I loved really set this event apart. I think by far this was my best shoot all year.

The skills that I have gained this year will forever stick by me. I’m not sure what I want to do with my future, or even if these skills will help me with my future plans. I do know that wherever I go or decide to do, I can use the characteristics I have gained from being a part of Photojournalism.

To future photojournalists, be proud in what you do. Understand that The Feather is a big deal and people work hard everyday to make it what it is. To be a part of a team like this you have to be 100 percent dedicated. This is a team and you should know that everyday there will be something for you to do behind the lens.

This has been a year that I won’t forget and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing team that stood together through every event at Fresno Christian. I would like to thank Kori Friesen for teaching me everything I know. Thank you for giving me a chance and letting me be a part of the 2015-16 photojournalist team.

Reflection gallery below is a collection of images showing growth throughout this year.

For more Feather photos, visit media, photos 2015-16.