Graduation season has arrived, which means many students are preparing to show off their brand-new caps and gowns to the world. Like any important occasion, graduation is one that requires kept memories. That said, photographers are being booked by the dozen, including some of UTEP’s student photographers. While they finish up their exams and team projects, they are also booked to capture the journey of future graduates.
Not all photographers at UTEP are studying photography. From computer science to theatre majors, anyone who has an eye for the perfect picture can have a passion for photography.
“I’ve gotten more bookings. Since we have a lot of actors graduating from the Department of Theater and Dance, we have a lot of headshots for grad schools that need to be taken,” said Fern Trousdale, a theatre education junior at UTEP. “When it came to photography, I found a lot of joy in taking pictures of other people because sometimes you can’t always remember the memories that may have happened. Since I do theater, one of their biggest things is capturing what’s on stage.”
While the photographers are the professionals behind the camera, they are also the students learning from their professors. Being a student, especially full-time, can mean more work from school and business. Despite the amount of work these students are put through, many find ways to follow up with their clients, and plan on doing more projects in the future.
“I have done one graduation shoot and I’m trying to get more. I do have another graduation shoot, but it’s for a high schooler,” said Christian Solis, a student creative assistant (for) UTEP Athletics. “I think if I post more, I’ll start getting more work. I know what it takes to do those shoots, so if I did have more, I’m pretty sure I would be more filled up with my schedule.”
While independent student photographers have total control over their business, what about small student photography businesses? While academic priorities and job callings can mean disaster, some photography businesses have figured out ways to communicate to each other and organize their schedules.
One local photography business, ODA Productions, explained to The Prospector how they work together, despite two of the members studying different majors and one member working in another state.
“Usually, we do like an online call like we’re doing right now, but we do it through some other services. Oscar, Andre, (and I) also have this program that allows us to control each other’s computers,” said Derek Cisneros, a computer science junior at UTEP and a founder of ODA Productions. “We can always give tips and we can always work on each other’s computers. It’s just cool because it feels like we’re actually there in person.”
As the end of the semester nears, student photographers are not only working to complete their schoolwork but fulfill a business role and explore their passion.
Elisha Nuñez is a staff reporter and can be reached at [email protected]
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