Guest Speakers

Teaching my photography students the skills required to take and edit photos is only one aspect of what has made the photography program at Topeka High so successful.  Another aspect is giving the kids professional goals for the end of each section, something they can aspire to do with their photography skills after taking a section of the class, whether it be the ability to take senior photos or feel comfortable entering their photography into art competitions.  

I really try to show them how much of a visual world we are living in, and how important it is for us as photographers to share our talents with the world because of this fact, and not only that, but that there are a variety of ways for them to share it.  From taking photos for happy memories to share, to preserve moments in history, photo journalism, to advertise a variety of items, even documenting day to day events. 

A recent goal that I have been working on to help with this, is having guest speakers come in to talk to the photography students.  With a range of guest speakers from Topeka High alumni who have started their own successful photo businesses, to officers in the Army National Guard, they are able to hear how a variety of professional photographers use their skills in the professional world. 

On December 8th, 2023 the photography classroom had the Army National Guard Kansas Public Affairs officers located in Topeka on Forbes Field, as guest speakers to talk about what they do for a job, and how they arrived at their current career path.  Topeka High alumni Corporal Claudio Valdes came to me because  as a former photography student, he thought they would enjoy hearing about the opportunities.  We both thought it would be great for them to hear the opportunities they could have in Public Affairs, such as Specialist Journalists & Mass Communication Specialist.  Both of these career options would allow photographers to travel around the world to take pictures. 

Claudio got ahold of Staff Sergeant Brandon Jacobs who is in charge of the Public Affairs division in Kansas and they brought over Specialist Tyrell who is a photographer. Together, they talked about their careers, how they arrived at that destination, and the exciting aspects of what they do.  SSG Brandon Jacobs actually started as a History teacher and found his way into his current career path.  He shared stories with the students about traveling overseas to take photos, the various places he has visited, and stories of taking pictures in not dangerous and somewhat dangerous situations!

The Photography students were very appreciative of  the time that the guest speakers came out and asked really thoughtful questions that led to great insightful conversations.  The talk also lead to the students seeking out other possibilities of photography opportunities in the world.  Days later the kids were still talking about it to me, the possibilities in that career, and that led to us talking about a variety of other career options that they might not have thought of before.

Helping my photo students see the career paths that are available to them in the highly visual world we live in has been a part of what helps to make them so successful I believe.  The hope that at the end of the day their images will not only make a difference, but be seen and evoke emotions from the viewer is a trait that helps them aspire to be more than what they are.