Hunter Lyle – Reporter
In their second semester as an official on campus club, the Southern Connecticut State University Photography Club is looking to expand in both members and events.
The Photography Club, which meets every Monday, is designed to help students who may or may not be a photography major learn and develop skills involving cameras, said president of the club, a senior, studio arts major, Meghan Olsen.
“I kind of hope to show people that there is more to photography than just using your phone as your camera,” said Olsen. “There’s so many things you can do with it, it’s not just this cut and dry thing. I also hope people have fun with it.”
Olsen, who earned her associ- ates degree at Tunxis Community College before deciding to come to Southern, discovered her passion for photography in a class during the last year at her previous school.
“[Photography] is something that I’ve always been into, but as I was graduating, one of the last classes I took was a dark room class,” said Olsen, “and I fell in love with it and I decided to pursue it further.”
Samantha Pansa, a junior, photography major, joined the club after taking a photojournalism class her freshman year.
Pansa said she had never used a camera before taking the class with professor Vern Williams and after that, she was hooked.
Now that the club is official, after creating a page on Owl Connect and retaining a consistent membership, Olsen said she is in the process of lining up events for the Photography Club to be a part of.
“This semester, we are working towards things that we can do as a club and working with other clubs on campus,” said Olsen. “Later this month we will be working with SUMA for their Halloween event. We are going to be taking pictures during the event for them.”
Along with the Southern Undergraduate Marketing Association event, Olsen said the Photography Club also participated in RAW Artists, an off-campus event similar to an art exhibition.
“A lot of people in the club right now are photo majors,” said Olsen, “so I thought it was important for people to have a sense of what it’s like to actually show your work and get your name out there and network.”
The RAW Artists event took place in the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, on Oct. 23.
Marissa Simos, a junior, graphic design major, joined the club after spending time with Olsen in Italy, studying abroad. Simos said she was able to build a relationship with Olsen, who recommended she join the club.
“I decided to join the club because it’s a group of really good people,” Simos said. “Even in our meetings, if someone is having an issue with software or applications or photo editing, there’s no question about it. You can ask them and everyone’s willing to help out.”
Simos said that is the heart of the club: the mood is constructive, and the club caters to those students who are willing and excited to learn more. Everybody is welcome.
“Whatever your knowledge or experience level is, we want to help,” said Olsen. “We want to show you what we know, and guide you in the direction of whatever you want to go in.”
Photo Credit: Hunter Lyle
