Photography and Business Prove
Inventive
for Spokane 4-H’ers
By Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension 4-H
You don't take a photograph, you make it. - Ansel Adams
It’s about art, learning, and taking risks. Spokane County’s Paparazzi 4-H Club is capturing images, deciphering lighting attributes, and, oh, by the way, managing their own photography company.
Started just over a year ago, the club is under the creative eye of advisor Bill Demers, a third generation commercial photographer who is also a retired Juvenile Court Probation Officer.
“Photography is a medium, a communication tool, and offers a lifetime of learning,” said Demers who has members ranging from 10 to 18 years old. He takes the group on field trips experimenting with angles, shutter speeds, and contrasts. On an adventure to the Palouse the day was spent photographing barns, alleys, old doors, picture windows, Steptoe Battlefield, and even an undertaker’s store front casket.
Three members of the club created Pandora Design, a photo business, which enables them to market their skills, produce documentaries, and form community partnerships. A $3,000 contract with the East Valley School District showcasing the district’s community garden to cafeteria project provided the group video opportunities, lessons in contract negotiation, time management, communication, and group dynamics.
Alysa Norton, co-owner of Pandora Design and a Paparazzi past president, said it’s a great opportunity to hone photography and business skills. “We developed a business and marketing plan and had to coordinate our schedules to meet their deadline, said Norton. “Scheduling proved a little challenging because everyone had different activities going on but it worked out. We incorporated still shots and interviews into the video documentary that, hopefully, will be used at business lunches to show what is being done in the district.”
Norton and other club members use digital cameras and have access to Demers’ five high-end film cameras and his commercial studio. Norton prefers taking black and white shots. “To me black and white photos convey so much more and have more meaning and depth. They captivate and bring out the subject in a way that color can’t,” said Norton.
Giving back to the community is integral to the group. This summer they put on a photography camp twice a week during July and August. Finished photos were matted and ready for display at the Spokane County Interstate Fair. The 4-H’ers also take part in a child identification effort. Parents can request photos of their children and receive the image on a CD.
Winning awards is also a realized accomplishment to the group. At this year’s Fair participants took home nine Grand Champion and Reserve awards, 119 blue ribbons and 21 reds. During the Photographic Society of America’s International Contest the club had 19 out of 35 images on display. And, at the Inland Northwest Agriculture Show the group took six of the seven top honors.
Demers is delighted that club members are recognized for their creative work and wants students to learn achievement comes in many forms. “I teach kids that success is not money. It’s using good thinking, applying yourself fully, and doing the best you can.”
To see the 4-H Pandora Design video created for the East Valley School District visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nVH82fwhAU
Posted October 2010
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