Portfolio accepted???? Check YES or NO!

YAY!!!!!

Portfolio Review has come and gone and my goodness was it stressful. On Tuesday June 14th, my mom came up and we went to portfolio review together. This is a very stressful day for anyone, no matter how confident you are in your work. Basically, I've been working incredibly hard for the last 10 months, but for the last 3 I've been working in hyper drive like crazy to create a body of work that fulfills both school requirements but also what I'm interested in photographing. Its incredibly difficult to pour your heart out and put it on display for 3 people you don't know and listen to their first impressions. With that said, Review was incredibly rewarding and I am so appreciative to have the opportunity for 4 amazing photographers to critique. Let me introduce them to you!

First up, we have Lois Greenfield. She is an incredible dance photographer out of NYC and she has worked with all the best dancers in the country and beyond. Even if you aren't interested in dance, you should check out her site because, the way she captures beauty and movement in a still photograph is just amazing.

Next, we have Matthew Jordan Smith. He looks like someone you just want to give a big old bear hug to. He has been on America's Next Top Model a few times as the photographer and has worked with Celebrities on beauty and fashion campaigns.

The last of the judges Grant Peterson. He doesn't have a website, which makes me sad.. and a bit confused. However, He has done a lot of work in the still life commercial field and has recreated what was once considered the "normal" still life photograph.

Last but CERTAINLY not least.. Mr Greg Heisler. He was not a judge on the panel. He was there as a mediator between the judges and the reviewed and he had his comments as well. It was actually comforting to have him up there because he knows us and our work.

That was our group of panelists! Pretty impressive. I passed YAY! When I got back to my seat.. my mom was bleeding. She was so nervous she ripped the skin off her finger. She didn't have to sit on stage with the judges!! Graduation is in one week from today!!! How did that happen?!?

OK.. no more about school for a while. How about some pictures?

Last weekend was the Relay for Life Franklin County and Myself, Chelsea, Ainsley and a few other teachers and students volunteered to work at the event. It is obviously a very emotional event. Celebrating cancer survivors and helping to fight the fight. Hallmark was the "photography team" for the event. Documenting people and emotions and festivities. It was really quite beautiful until it started raining at midnight. Chelsea and I had a theme lap at 2am that we were photographing. So we had to stay up. Which wasn't hard because the tent we were in filled with water and we were soaked. It was definitely an experience and well.. I think all you can really do is see the photos. Every kind of person was at the event and It was so fun just to observe and witness. I hope you feel the same way.