Shots Photography

Hallmark Institute of Photography Welcomes 188 Graduates Into Professional Photography

Turners Falls, MA (PRWEB) June 28, 2007 -- Hallmark Institute of Photography http://hallmark.edu held its thirty-second commencement ceremony for the Class of 2007 on the grounds of the Institute's Administrative Office Building located at 241 Millers Falls Rd. in Turners Falls. One hundred and eighty-eight (188) talented professionals (118 females and 70 males) graced the stage and received completion certificates. Graduates represented forty-one (41) of the United States from Massachusetts to Alaska plus Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. Graduates also represented Russia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the Philippines. The graduates ranged in ages from 18-53 and held educational backgrounds from high school diplomas and GED equivalencies to Masters degrees.

Lois Greenfield, http://loisgreenfield.com world-renowned photographer and keynote speaker, inspired and motivated the graduates with her words as she officially welcomed them into the photographic industry as professionals. Lois Greenfield began her career as a photojournalist but was drawn to the graphic potential of dance. For twenty years she covered the experimental dance scene for the Village Voice. In 1982, she decided to open a studio where she could not only control the lighting, but could also direct the dancers in her exploration of movement's expressive potential. Her unique approach to photographing the human form in motion has radically redefined the genre, and influenced a generation of young photographers. Lois Greenfield began her career as a photojournalist but was drawn to the graphic potential of dance. For twenty years she covered the experimental dance scene for the Village Voice. In 1982, she decided to open a studio where she could not only control the lighting, but could also direct the dancers in her exploration of movement's expressive potential. Her unique approach to photographing the human form in motion has radically redefined the genre, and influenced a generation of young photographers.

Greenfield has been compared with Eadward Muybridge for his exploration of human locomotion, and with Cartier Bresson for capturing the elusive moment. Unlike her predecessors however, her images depict but don't refer to the "real" world. They are documents of her imagination. They confuse, confound, and tickle one's perception by presenting what eyes clearly see and the brain wants to refute. She is equally the descendant of Salvador Dali and the Surrealists.

Lois has created signature images for most of the major contemporary dance companies. Many of these images can be seen in virtually every major magazine, her 1992 monograph, Breaking Bounds (Chronicle Books), as well as in her volume, Airborne (Chronicle Books, 1998)

The Advertising world has been picking up on the metaphoric potential of her images, and has created numerous campaigns around her unique work. Some of her notable clients are Rolex, Kodak, Sony, IBM, Hanes, Pepsi, Remy Martin, Netscape, Minolta, Toshiba, Target and Raymond Weil Watches.

Her work is exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and her editorial work has appeared in Elle, Sports Illustrated, Life, Time, Vanity Fair, O Magazine, Dance, American Photographer, the NY Times Magazine, and Vogue.

Her newest venture has taken her career full circle, collaborating and performing around the world with the Australian Dance Theater in "Held," a dance inspired by her photography in which she shoots the live action as part of the performance.

Other special guests that welcomed the Class of 2007 into the field of professional photography included Scott Hersh, Director of Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and Jan Lederman, President of MAC Group. Kirsten Snow (Class of 1985) spoke as the Alumni Representative, while Kate Drew Miller (Class of 2007), of Williamstown, MA, presented the prelude and Todd Cooper Barnes (Class of 2007) of San Juan Capistrano, CA, spoke as Class Representative.

Hallmark Institute's unique ten-month resident program approaches learning with a hands-on technique, quickly building from beginning to advanced photographic skills. Committed staff and faculty prepare an individual to handle photographic assignments of great diversity in a professional manner, including portraiture, catalog and advertising illustration, aerial and location, studio and environmental product, group and candid, industrial, photojournalism and digital capture, manipulation and restoration. With a well-rounded curriculum emphasizing the technical, artistic and business aspects of photography and imaging, Hallmark graduates are ready to secure meaningful employment with established photographers or to begin plans for successful photographic businesses of their own.

Year-end awards were presented to:

- Highest Class Credit: Kim Morritt (CANADA)

- Attitude and Bearing: Chaz Cruz (CA)

- Most Improved: Trent Grasse (AK)

- Community Service: Erin Day (UT), Tony Romo (OK) and Lori Fall (MA)

- Perfect Attendance: Seth Beebe (VT), Sarah Edwards (MA), Jason McGrew (UT), Kim Morritt (CANADA) and Jessica Wakefield (VT)

- Portrait Awards of Excellence: Jason McGrew (UT), Will Long (IL), Chaz Cruz (CA), Tim Nelson (SC) and Allysia Sneed (Washington, D.C.)

- Outstanding Achievement Award for Most Professional Portrait Portfolio: Susan McManus (LA)

- Commercial Awards of Excellence: Olga Minkevitch (RUSSIA), Chris Joyner (WI), Ron Greene (VA) and Evan D'Arpino (NY)

- Outstanding Achievement Award for Most Professional Commercial Portfolio: Edith Rosa (Puerto Rico)

- General Awards of Excellence: Kim Morritt (MI), Kameron Bayne (NE), Mark Robinson (TX), Todd Barnes (CA), Adam Putnam (NY), Tom Sands (MA) and Kirsten Payton (NY)

- Outstanding Achievement Award for Most Professional General Portfolio: Jorge Rivas (MEXICO)

- Faculty Award: Jenna Hollinger (IN)

- Director's Award: Jorge Rivas (MEXICO)

- President's Award: Jason McGrew (UT)

- Mamiya Award of Excellence: Olga Minkevitch (RUSSIA)

Quotes from the graduates:

Tom Sands, 19, MA

"Hallmark has given me the education to do what I love to do every day!"

Michael Thomas, 29, NV

"It feels great to see everybody sitting together on this last day excited for what the future holds."

Chelsea Agee, 19, KY

"In my 10 months at Hallmark, I have learned so much more in such a short period of time, more than any four year school. I feel very prepared to go out and get a job even at such a young age."

Lori Fall, 42, MA

"The Hallmark program was a once in a lifetime experience to take my dream, the love of my life, photography, to the next level."

Will Long, 25, IL

"Best 10 months I could've spent."

Kim Morritt, 32, Canada

Mother of three

"It was an amazing experience. I'm sad it's over."

Desiree Thomas, 20, NY

"Thank God it's over! But I wish it wasn't. It was a lot of hard work, but all worth it."

Jess Wakefield, 31, VT

"Hallmark has been one of the best experiences of my life. Despite the hard work, it has been fun and the Turners Falls community has been fantastic."

Adrien Cordero, 28, CT

"It's incredible to see how far I've come in 10 months. I am grateful for the support and education I have received from the staff and faculty. I'll miss the friends I've made here and I'll miss living in Turners Falls."

Angela Squicciarini, 50, NJ

"I'm really sad about leaving but excited about a new career. It's been an amazing 10 months. I've learned so much and I'm ready to put it all to work."

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