Article and photos by Julie Lake
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Michigan (LCFS) kicked off a fundraiser at Golden Gallery, 113 Third Street, in downtown Bay City as part of December's First Thursday's Gallery Walk. The fundraising project called "A View from Our Lens" spotlighted photographs taken by a specially selected group of photographers who ranged in age from 9 to 19 and were chosen from various LCFS programs based on their artistic bent and their dependability to complete the project.
All photographers were given a digital camera, if they didn't already have one, and were instructed to take images of the world around them. They also had the option of choosing a theme such as love/beauty, frustration, night, warmth, and many more as subjects for their photographs. Photographers each used their own styles and interpretations of the different themes to express how they saw the world around them. In doing so, they allowed the outsider a peek into the way that they interpreted their world.
Chelsey McGee, 19, said that this experience has given her more self-confidence in approaching people. Some of her photographs involved asking strangers for permission to take their photo. While McGee has had no formal training in photography, she has had the privilege of being part of a family-owned photography business where she helped with posing and lighting. "This is exciting. I’ve never had this type of opportunity before and I’m hoping it will open doors for me," said McGee. Her participation in "A View From Our Lens" fundraising project has sparked her interest in photography, and she plans to enroll in photography classes at Delta College this winter to further develop her skills.
Another photographer whose new-found interest in photography resulted from her participation in this project is Megan, 9. Megan and her brother Josh, 10, are the youngest photographers whose works are being exhibited. They are both involved in 4-H, so their favorite subject was animals. When asked what they thought about seeing their photos framed and on display, Megan said, "It’s cool. People can buy them." Josh echoed her sentiments, "It's exciting because other people like my pictures." Megan and Josh were given cameras for this project by LCFS, but Megan asked for her own camera for her birthday so she could continue making photographs on her own. She hopes to one day become a professional photographer.
Sometimes it's hard for new artists to sell the images they have created. This was not so for Sherri Sexton, 16. She has had a long time love of photography ever since she took her sister's senior pictures a few years ago. "I'm happy to sell my photos because to me, then I’m an artist," said Sexton. "I'm excited about being able to be a part of (the project) and being chosen," she said.
Brittany Frenzke, 19, is part of the teen parent group at LFCS, and it was a good feeling, she said, to be able to give back to LFCS for everything the organization has given her. LCFS has helped many teen mothers like Frenzke by supplying such staples as diapers and baby food. For Frenzke, the most important person in her life is her baby girl, whom she chose as the theme of her photo series. One of the views from Frenzke’s lens was an image of her daughter in a swing. "That one is my favorite because it was the first time she was in a swing," said Frenzke about her photo. "I want everyone to see her because she's mine."
The photographs will be exhibited and sold until January 6. Proceeds from the sale of the prints will go to LCFS. Unframed prints can also be purchased at the gallery or via www.goldengallerymi.com.
© Julie Lake, 2009