Camila is an MHS junior and yearbook student, specializing in taking photos for the class. What drew her into photography was the ability to freeze something in time. Capturing thoughts, feelings, and one thousand words in one little snapshot excited her.
“The idea of being able to catch a great moment on camera was that thing that got me interested in photography.”
Though there is the pressure of taking the best photos as singular moments pass, the workload in class is a bit lighter.
“I also just really liked the idea of spending one of my classes where my homework is taking pictures.”
Camila’s title of Chief Photographer means that she isn’t new to cameras and achieving the perfect shot. This school year is her second year, making her a veteran photographer on the MHS Auroran team. Since being a part of the photography team, she has mastered which moments to capture for the yearbook.
“Every year, the yearbook has a theme, so I try to stick to it as much as I can. I look for opportunities that would look in a picture, and I try to be there to get the shot.”
The main assignment for photographers is taking photos. Whether it be school events, classrooms, or clubs, Camila has done it all to craft the perfect time capsule: the MHS Auroran. When she is out and about taking photos, she tries to include different faces in her pictures.
“I try to get shots of people you don’t typically see in the yearbook. We have this goal that we have to have everyone in the yearbook at least three times, so I always try to see which groups look familiar and which ones are unfamiliar to me.”
Though inclusivity brings people from all cliques and groups together, it also means moving into different areas and spaces of the school. No matter what unique spot the shot is taken in, the auditorium will always suck.
“It is dark and difficult to work with. If there’s an event, you have to be quiet and not move around much because it would draw attention away from the show, which makes it hard to get good coverage.”
Stepping out of her comfort zone is just one challenge that the yearbook helped Camila overcome. With fine arts and drama performances constantly being in the auditorium, photographers have to learn to work with the inevitable drawbacks of the space. It is just one of the many places around campus that our photographers have had to work alongside.
“In the beginning, it was hard. Especially because we had to get used to working in so many places at once. I feel like we have gotten the hang of most, though.”
Camila works with other photographers in the yearbook. Having a team of others working on the same challenges makes them easier to overcome, with everyone able to figure out a solution together. Through teamwork and thousands of photos, Camila has figured out which spot is the most trouble-free when it comes to photo-taking.
“The gym is probably the easiest to work with for me because of how many events are planned there. We had to learn while on the job. It was stressful, but now I can say that we know how to adjust the lighting on the cameras when necessary.”
With lighting and setting being a constant battle for her, it’s a relief to take photos that she is genuinely proud of. For Camila, her perfect pictures were taken earlier this school year.
“The pictures I took this year for Powderpuff became special to me. Not only was it the year that my grade got to participate in it. But many students were there, and the lighting was perfect.”
On the other hand, there are times when the photos don’t always come out perfectly. The settings can be slightly off, the camera shakes, or some other uncontrollable factor just ruins the shot. Through the trials and tribulations of taking pictures, Camila has gained an understanding of this and uses her mess-ups to improve in the future.
“In the end, I’ve learned that I’m not perfect, and I learn from my mistakes.”
When it comes to bigger events where these small mistakes become even more critical, the photographers are put under even more pressure.
“It’s a one-time thing, ya know. If we don’t get it, then it’s forever gone.”
Though the photographic issues seem inevitable, the yearbook team has a foolproof method of combating this and turning the situation into something fun instead of something anxiety-inducing
“We all work together well so that that doesn’t happen. It’s super fun, though, because it’s the couple of days a year that we can get really interesting shots of students having fun together outside of games.”
Adjusting to the environment for the perfect flick is something that Camila has mastered. Being flexible and learning to enjoy the ride is what one has to do in photography.
“At the beginning of the year, I took pictures of the cross-country, and I had to get on top of a gator truck just to keep up with the racers. It’s those types of things you don’t expect, but that’s what makes it so fun.”
Her openness to unfamiliar, difficult, or weird things to take a photo is what makes Camila an excellent photographer. Along with her ambition to constantly be getting things done, she actively works alongside two other great photographers and communicates with other members of the yearbook to take the perfect pictures for creative spreads.
“I try to see what works best for the page. For example, if I’m taking a picture of a class, I try to get them working on a cool project instead of sitting at their computers.”
In the yearbook, it is important to capture people in even light to portray the full perspective of how people are. Taking both posed and unposed photos showcases how they act when they know their picture is being taken versus how they act naturally. Camila enjoys taking candid photos and said,
“I like catching people off guard sometimes. It gives a more realistic feel.”
Along with the candid photos, there are also action shots, which Camila especially loves during games.
“There is so much going on all the time that you have to be prepared for. No photo is ever the same, and that’s good.”
On the other hand, taking planned pictures is also pleasant.
“Posed shots are super fun to do, though, because it usually means that the person or group of people enjoy getting their picture taken, which makes them a joy to work with.”
After taking all types of photos, selecting ones that make the final cut into the yearbook is a time-consuming task for members of the team who create pages. Though it isn’t easy, they try to incorporate the best pictures to put on the page. Through Camila’s experience and hard work with the team, she advised that someone joining the photography team should be willing to step out of their comfort zone.
“Having to stand in front of a crowd was not very fun for me at the beginning, but you certainly have to get used to it. In the end, it is not that bad; it’s fun sometimes.”
Even with her understanding of the cameras and fondness for taking photos, she wants to explore different things in her future.
“I love being a photographer, and I wouldn’t mind continuing to do it as I grow, but I don’t see myself focusing on it enough to have it as a career…I see it as more of a hobby for me, and I’m okay with that.”
From an outside perspective, the process may seem easy. Despite misconceptions, some challenges may not always be apparent.
“I wish people would understand that Yearbook photography is just how much time and effort is put into making sure we get the proper shots needed for a page. We certainly take a lot of our time to be able to achieve pictures that people can be proud to put in the Yearbook.”
Overall, the yearbook class works very hard as a team to take photos, organize pages, and bring together all the elements to create an amazing yearbook for us, and Camila plays a valuable role in making this a reality.
