Emery Wainscott
Lifestyle Editor
[email protected]

The Murray State Photo Club offers hands-on experience to interested students, from work in the dark room to nighttime photography at the Arboretum.

Everyone is welcome to join the club, including students with no experience or if they only have their smartphones, Assistant Professor of Photography and New Media Cintia Segovia Figueroa said.

Segovia Figueroa restarted the Photo Club this semester. She started her position at Murray State teaching analog and digital photography and video for both web and installations three months ago. 

“Photography is everywhere,” Segovia Figueroa said. “As a society, we take more photos than ever before. I wanted to create an organization where students could learn new skills that will help their portfolio and explore the fun of photography.”

For their first order of business, the Photo Club held elections for leadership positions. Freshman graphic communications media major Emma Fisher ran for president since she served in leadership roles in the past. Fisher delivered a speech about her photography and leadership experience to the members of the club. After an anonymous vote, Fisher won.

“Photography is such a passion of mine,” Fisher said. “So I thought to just put myself out there and go for it. I joined the photography club because I love photography. It can really showcase a different perspective on life.”

Segovia Figueroa is the faculty adviser, meaning she helps plan events and assist with how to fund activities. At the end of the day, however, Segovia Figueroa said the members work together and pick their best ideas.

“Anyone can take a snapshot these days, but creating a photograph that communicates an idea effectively has the power to change people’s minds and hearts, or at least get them to think,” Segovia Figueroa said. “Whether it portrays reality or creates a whole new world, the photographer has a powerful voice.”

Fisher said the Photo Club offers the chance for students to embrace their creative sides, whether beginners or experts, whether they practice photography as a hobby or for a career.

For Fisher, her interests lie on the career side. Currently, she works for Murray State’s photo department and for The News as a photographer.

Segovia Figueroa said she teaches photography because of her passion for students. She said she hopes they take the skills learned and the tools used in class to create creative visual narratives through photography and video.

“I love when students begin to understand photography at a deeper level than what their smartphones can offer,” Segovia Figueroa said. “When I see their faces in the darkroom as they see a photograph developing in the chemistry, it’s a priceless experience.”

The Photo Club will be setting up a photo booth for students in costume at Monster Mash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. The club also will be selling prints and photography-themed buttons.

Segovia Figueroa said the proceeds from the sale will go towards funding student travel. 

The club will host a nighttime event at the Arboretum for photographers to take photos of the sky and experiment with long exposure on Nov. 12.

Photo Club meets at 5 p.m. on Tuesdays in Fine Arts Room 735.