By: Brielle Bartley
Last week, all of the Digital Marketing Apprentices took part in a photography crash course throughout Philadelphia with John Lopez from Toolshed. No studio lights, no controlled background, just the city, our creativity, and whatever chaos the day threw at us. The day was centered around photographing the Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth Freedom Celebration, who “seek a response to the harm caused by children that is conscientious of childhood traumas, restorative and empowering to all parties, and equitable, especially about race and ethnicity.”
We started at the Art Museum, which felt like the perfect place to warm up due to the beautiful architecture, the hundreds of people, and the iconic skyline. We practiced shooting, learned new skills, and adjusted our cameras with more confidence than we ever had. The energy there is always welcoming, with runners on the steps, tourists taking their iconic “Rocky” photos, and the sun hitting the statues at just the right angle.
From there, we made our way to the Liberty Bell. Shooting in a spot that's so historic was amazing; we were mixing modern storytelling with a piece of American history. The crowd made things tricky at first, but honestly, that's what I loved most. Real people, and real movement. Instead of trying to avoid the crowds, my co-worker Mary leaned into it. Some of my favorite shots came from Mary capturing moments in the middle of conversations.
Throughout the day, I learned about Aperture, ISO, Shutter Speed, and how each element of the world applies differently to each setting. I took about 153 photos, and I can honestly say all of them are my favorite, even the imperfect ones, truly, because they all capture a different moment in time. We had been armed with the technology necessary for months, but through this photography course, I'm finally armed with the knowledge necessary to feel confident in what I'm doing.
This whole day reminded me why I enjoyed photography so much. It wasn't just about taking pictures; it was about exploring, experimenting, and seeing the city through fresh eyes with people who motivate me. Not only did I learn about the basics of photography and camera etiquette, but I also learned a very valuable lesson, and that is to enjoy every moment because as soon as you blink, the moment is gone and a new one has begun. Click.