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Photographers Cassi Alexandra, Lola Gomez, Robin Henson, Jennifer Kaczmarek and Erika Masterson are graduates of the DSC photography program, spanning the decades from 1984 to 2013.\u00a0 All had participated in the recent exhibition, \u201cDispatches from the Front,\u201d which closed in October and showcased their diverse fine art, commercial and photojournalistic works.<\/p>\n
James Pearson, the museum\u2019s director, gave a special thanks to the event coordinator, Professor Kevin Miller.\u00a0 He then kicked off the discussion with a question for Alexandra regarding the means by which she established herself as a photographer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve lived in New York for the last seven years. I edited for four years of it and made a lot of my contacts during those years when I was a non-threat. I was going to all the events, going to Eddie Adams\u2019 workshops, going to Geek Fest,\u201d she said, adding, \u201cYou want them to fall in love with you as a person before they see your work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexandra is a freelance photographer based in New York City and Orlando. Times were not always ideal, she explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a four month period when I lived in my car because I didn\u2019t want to come back here.\u00a0 It was beautiful and awful all at once.\u00a0 If you really want it you are going to make those decisions too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erika Masterson, referring to DSC\u2019s photography program, said \u201cI loved it here. I wish we could have critique day in real life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Masterson lives in Florida with her husband and their four children, who act as her built-in models. Portraiture has sustained her fine arts addiction.\u00a0 She is happy to say she is no longer taking new clients. She now has the time to focus on the fine arts aspect of her photography. As soon as her husband bought her the underwater housing for her camera, she immediately began playing around with underwater photography.<\/p>\n
Possessing success as a common thread among the photographera and that also means they agree on key factors important to achievement. Drive, drive, drive with your passion toward your goal. Work hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cGet that internship,\u201d advised Lola Gomez, currently a photojournalist for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, who has also worked for the Orlando Sentinel.\u00a0 \u201cAnd work 120 percent more than what they give you. Take it seriously.\u00a0 They are going to give you one assignment. Do more. Also, use the magical word, student<\/i>. It will get you in to most everywhere. Use it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the top five attributed for aspiring professional photographers is having the ability to relate to and communicate with people. Without the connectivity to people, there is no subject, no business and definitely no way in to prohibitive areas, whether physical or emotional.<\/p>\n
Robin Henson works for Southern Poverty Law Center, the leading organization in the United States that monitors hate groups and extremists.\u00a0 She\u2019s walked with a militia and a rebel flag carrying Grand Wizard up Stone Mountain in Georgia, the largest confederate memorial.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not agree with their stance on race, well, just about anything, but I was able to have a conversation with them and even felt a sense of betrayal when I took their photograph after they had posed for me and the shadows of pointed KKK hoods fell at their feet.\u00a0 It made for a great photo for the magazine but it was a strange feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jennifer Kaczmarek develops deep relationships with her subjects. While attending DSC, she was invited to work on a project for Easter Seals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI met a child that I became very passionate about so when that was done, I felt compelled to do more. I stayed to document her for three more years and from that was determined to start a nonprofit, so I started a 501c3. It has evolved to Taking Focus, Inc., which offers sponsorships to those that present projects they are passionate about with a social or health issue related to giving back to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n
Typically when one documentary ends another project begins said Kaczmarek.<\/p>\n
Asked for words of advice, Lola immediately chimed in, \u201cI said it before\u2026 internships. And use the magic \u2014student.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Michele Meyers In Motion Staff Writer A group of five successful Daytona State College alumnae gathered Nov. 16 for a highly anticipated panel discussion at the Southeast Museum of Photography\u2019s Madorsky Theater. Photographers Cassi Alexandra, Lola Gomez, Robin Henson, Jennifer Kaczmarek and Erika Masterson are graduates of the DSC photography Continue reading Women panelists share secrets to professional success<\/span>