Youth learning photography and entrepreneurship

 

 

 

 

 

SPOKANE – 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 adviser 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, whose club has members 10-18 years old.

 

He takes the group on field trips to experiment 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 business with video opportunities and 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, Norton said. “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,” she said.

 

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,” she said. “They captivate and bring out the subject in a way that color can’t.”

 

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 images on a CD.

Winning awards is also a realized accomplishment to the group. At the Spokane 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 could claim 19 out of the 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,” he said. “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