Photo by Evoke Tintype
ABOUT ME MY TEACHERS
My background in photography is less about me and more about the folks who gave me the opportunity to grow in the field.
When I was a kid, my Dad worked at Kodak and would give me expired film to take terrible "architecture" shots of my Lego houses. As he handed laptops down to me, pre-programmed with Photoshop, I learned how to edit photos and became his editor for wedding photos and portraits. Looking to jump into the driver's seat and take pictures of my own, he started to train me on the more technical aspects of photography. My first lesson took place on yellow legal pads of paper and was followed by day trips that would challenge me to adapt to different scenarios. I had lessons in shutter speed at airshows, lessons in flash photography at Quinceanera's, lessons in focal length in the studio, lessons in sales at high school reunions, and eventually getting into second shooting weddings for other photographers. It wouldn't take too long to realize soon that matching my vision to the result would take much more time, work, and CASH for lenses.
After getting the heck out of high school, I went to Merrimack College for Marketing and Graphic Design. There, I met one of the greatest people I've known, photography professor and absolute legend Kevin Salemme. In the basement of a brutalist library he built a sanctuary for creativity and made it feel like a home for everyone. Anyone who visited him would walk through a small crowd of students surrounded by walls covered in a mix of student and famous photographers' work side-by-side (and some great band posters too). I loved how every time he'd want to show a reference for something, it would typically be tucked into the wall somewhere. He taught one photo history class every semester and in that time, he brought to life the meaning and artistry behind some of the most famous photographs.
Kevin made sure I had a camera in my hands all four years of school, so long as I did some campus photo jobs every once in a while. He even created a directed study course for me at a time when I was struggling to find myself and my style as a photographer.
Most of the course's lessons involved just giving me the tools and space I needed to explore and guidance as I ran into obstacles. One of those obstacles was confidence. Photographers who direct their shots need the confidence to speak up, and more documentarian-style photographers need the confidence to be a little disruptive and take the shot. I remember Kevin explaining that always having a camera with you makes it feel more like a natural extension of yourself. When you get to that point, you don't require as much confidence to take the shots you want. He told me a story about a photographer who found herself at that point in her 50s after a long photography career. He described her having a moment of realization that she could see the photograph wherever she was.
At the time, I had doubts because there are so many dull, mundane moments in our lives; why photograph the ones that feel insignificant or basic? Although I have yet to hit that point he was describing, I think I have a grasp now of what it really means to see the photograph in anywhere you are. Having a life to live is a remarkable and miraculous thing. It is not rare or unique, but it is significant. Not every moment will feel captivating, but by being a part of life, it will be worthy of capturing and appreciating.
---------
After Kevin's passing in 2022, I was heartbroken and filled with regret. I had let so much time go by post-graduation without expressing how life-changing it was to have been mentored by him. While it may be impossible to continue his work, like many of his students, I want to do whatever I can to continue his legacy.
To unconditionally welcome people in and extend kindness through photography and opportunity.
To commit to learning while loving the current state.
To seek out photo-worthy moments without forgetting to love the moments in between.