News2008 Portfolio Review Panelists AnnouncedMonday, March 31st
Hallmark Institute of Photography is pleased to announce the selection of three world-class photographers to review the year-end student portfolios of the Class of 2008. Iconic portrait and fashion photographer Barbara Bordnick from New York City, passionate photo-documentary photographer Beth Reynolds from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and internationally acclaimed commercial and fashion photographer David Turner from New York City have been chosen to review each individual student portfolio from this year's graduating class. Each of these photographers exemplifies the top of his or her individual imaging disciplines. The Portfolio Review process represents the culmination of the student's 10-month professional photography training at Hallmark. During the Portfolio Review process, the review panel will critically analyze each individual student portfolio to determine whether or not it possesses the necessary technical and artistic skills that qualify the student for employment in field of professional photography and imaging. Students will receive in-depth commentary from each of the panelists as to the areas of strength and weakness represented in his or her portfolio. Upon successful completion of the year-end portfolio process, the student qualifies for a Certificate of Completion from Hallmark. Hallmark's President, George J. Rosa III states, "We are absolutely thrilled to have access to the caliber of talent, commitment and passion that these three world-class photographers bring to Hallmark's year-end portfolio review process. I don't know of a better year-end gift we could provide to our students than the opportunity for each of them to have their bodies of work reviewed and commented on by professional photographers with the diverse and exceptional experience of this panel." The Portfolio Review process begins on Thursday, May 22nd and goes through Friday, June 13th.
Work by Instructor Michael Zide on Display at WPPI ShowThursday, March 13thIf you are attending the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) trade show this March 13-19 in Las Vegas, take a moment to visit the booth of the premiere manufacturer of high quality digital coffee table books, GraphiStudios. One of their display books may seem familiar. It is a 12x12 hardcover coffee table edition of "Secret Spaces: Martha's Vineyard Beyond the Landmarks", by former Martha's Vineyard resident and Hallmark Institute of Photography instructor Michael Zide. Not far from GraphiStudios, you'll find a display of several 20x30 inch enlargements of Zide's landscape images at the Millers Professional Imaging booth. There you will see a 100-page 12x12 coffee table edition of "Witness: A Life Within the Landscape", a collection of Zide's Vineyard work accompanied by images from the Southwest. Both companies, as well as Asukabook of Japan, use Zide's work to showcase their beautiful black and white printing technologies. Zide, a native of California, lived and photographed on Martha's Vineyard for over 12 years. As he says, "I brought a vision of the landscape from my childhood in the West. Vast and dramatic, these were the vistas and scenery that shaped my ideas of landscape photography. On the Island, the intimacy of this landscape, its subtlety, scale, and moodiness challenged my idea of gesture and personal vision. I couldn't have been more fortunate than to have developed my skills in this very special landscape environment." Silvershotz Magazine, an international journal of fine art black and white photography, is also featuring Zide's work in its current issue. Richard Barnes Named Exclusive Photographer for ABC Reality Show EpisodeSaturday, February 23rdDirector of Education and Instructor Richard Barnes has been named the Exclusive Photographer for an upcoming episode of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" currently being filmed in Maynard, Massachusetts. Richard, a 1986 graduate of Hallmark, along with his wife Kristen, also a 1986 Hallmark graduate, own Barnes Portrait Design in East Brookfield, Massachusetts. Richard and Kristen, with the assistance of their photographic team, Scott Farmosa and Jenna Hollinger (also Hallmark graduates), began recording the week's events on Friday, February 22 when the Giunta family, of Maynard, received the "door knock" and learned that they would be the recipients of a new home. Since a car accident left him confined to a wheelchair, Paul Giunta has been living in with his parents in a retirement development away from his family because their home is not handicap accessible. Over the next seven days a team of more than 500 builders, contractors, designers, and hundreds of volunteers will race to completely rebuild the Giunta's home to accommodate a wheelchair so that Paul can return home.
Paul has had four major brain surgeries since the accident and cannot fully walk on his own, requiring the assistance of a wheelchair and a walker. Although Paul has made great strides with his therapies, he still has a long way to go. Paul spent sixteen months living and rehabilitating in the hospital in Boston. Besides needing the current home to be more accessible, other problems include broken water pipes, bad electricity, unsafe floors and a roof that needs major repair work. Paul desperately wants to come home and be with his family. Because this accident happened the same day his daughter was born, the two of them have never been able to live in the same home together.
Richard Barnes summarized his feelings about his involvement on the set by saying, "This process is both crazy and chaotic, as well as satisfying and heartwarming. I am extremely honored to share this opportunity with so many talented artists and craftspeople. This is people helping people! We're all putting forth our best talents to provide this family with a new home that will allow them to live together at last." You can read more about the project at www.extremehomema2008.com. Hallmark Staff and Students Bring Joy to Area Children and Young AdultsWednesday, December 12thHallmark Institute of Photography is proud to announce its fourth annual participation in the Franklin/Hampshire Area office of the Department of Social Services (DSS) Holiday Sponsor Program. Wish lists from approved children and young adults in the community are prepared and delivered to DSS and then sent off to sponsors like Hallmark. This particular program services children and young adults that lack support from caring adults. Many of these children are estranged from their families, living outside of their homes in residential or independent living arrangements.
The Holiday Spirit is Alive in Turners FallsThursday, November 29thHallmark President Appointed to Massachusetts Department of Education Proprietary School Advisory CouncilFriday, September 28thHallmark Institute of Photography President George J. Rosa III has been selected as one of twelve members to serve a two-year term on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Education's Office of Proprietary Schools Advisory Council. Through diverse membership on the council, the Department seeks to draw on the perspectives and experiences of a wide range of constituents in order to strengthen proprietary school education. Since 1992, Mr. Rosa has served as owner and president of Hallmark Institute of Photography, a proprietary school located in the rural town of Turners Falls in Western Massachusetts. Hallmark is licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Education and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. He has a solid understanding of, and appreciation for, compliance issues related to the proprietary school sector. In fact, Hallmark has received accreditation without stipulation, along with the "School of Distinction" award, after all three of its reviews during his tenure at Hallmark. "I set high levels of expectation for our school and would settle for no less. I believe that my proven track record in enhancing the quality of our students' lives through superb career education of the highest standards speaks for itself. My vision for the proprietary school sector offers a formula for success that I'm anxious to share with those who are interested in continuing to strengthen proprietary school education for the betterment of our students", Rosa stated. Hallmark Institute of Photography Welcomes Largest and Most Diverse Class EverWednesday, September 5thAt precisely 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 5th, Hallmark Institute of Photography opened its doors to welcome its largest and most diverse class ever to begin its 10 month training program in its Professional Photography program. Two hundred and thirty (230) individuals representing 41 of our United States (including Puerto Rico) and 8 other countries entered for registration. Enthusiastic staff and faculty welcomed the eager yet anxious students. The Class of 2008 follows in the footsteps of other recent classes with the female count (154) more than doubling that of the males (76). Students range in age from 16 - 57 with educational backgrounds from high school diplomas and GED equivilencies to Masters degrees. While some are attending right out of high school, there is a significant number continuing their education or changing careers.
Iconic Commercial Photographer David Langley Joins Hallmark Institute of Photography FacultyFriday, August 17thHallmark Institute of Photography is pleased to announce the addition of Iconic Commercial Photographer, David Langley, to its Faculty. Having served the commercial photography marketplace for over forty-five years, Mr. Langley brings a wealth of unrivaled photographic skills to an already distinguished faculty. He is a talented photographer capable of handling any commercial imaging assignment with ease, but is best known for his remarkable automobile photography. His imagery has adorned many automobile ads, including the unforgettable VW advertising campaign for Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB), an ad campaign that put Volkswagen on its way to automobile history as one of the world's best known automobile brands, and DDB on track to becoming one of the most successful advertising agencies in their field.
Lois Greenfield to Address Hallmark's GraduatesMonday, June 11thHallmark's graduation speaker this year will be the legendary Lois Greenfield. Greenfield has been compared with Eadward Muybridge for exploration of human locomotion, and with Cartier Bresson for capturing the elusive moment. She has created signature images for most of the major contemporary dance companies. Her unique approach to photographing the human form in motion has radically redefined the genre, and influenced a generation of young photographers. Her newest venture has taken her career full circle, collaborating and performing around the world with the Australian Dance Theater in "Held," a dance inspired by her photography in which she shoots the live action as part of the performance.
2007 Guest Speaker Series Has a Great FinishWednesday, May 23rdOn Monday, May 14, 2007, Hallmark hosted a memorable end to its Guest Lecture Series as Harry Benson and Greg Heisler, two of the imaging industry's leading photographers, delivered outstanding seminars to the student body. This Guest Lecture Series certainly ended with a bang!
In the afternoon, the students were treated to more breathtaking imagery, uncanny wit and the unforgettable storytelling of NYC photographer Greg Heisler. Greg shared his incomparable imagery found on the covers of over seventy Time magazines, as well as numerous images from other national publications and advertising campaigns. Greg shared important and informative techniques used to create his images, images that we have all seen and admired. Not only is Greg one of the most accomplished and talented image-makers of our time, his down to earth and honest conversation with the students gave them all a feeling that they had chosen the right career path. Greg's lecture was sponsored by MAC Group, compliments of Jan Lederman, President of the MAC Group. As the day ended, it was obvious that each student became more anxious than ever for graduation on June 22, 2007, when they will join Greg, Harry and their counterparts in our exciting imaging field. Vern McClish, Director of Marketing and Career Services at Hallmark, was responsible for bringing over 30 prominent guest speakers to Hallmark this year. Of his visit with Harry Benson and Greg Heisler, he said, "Sunday night's dinner was unforgettable! I sat listening, with great admiration, as two of our industry's giants shared tales and laughs about their experiences capturing the events and imagery that have shaped our lives." For more information and imagery from Harry Benson, visit harrybenson.com. For information and imagery from Greg Heisler, visit gregoryheisler.com. Picture taken in Turners Falls, MA at Ristorante DiPaolo. In picture from left to right: Vern McClish, Greg Heisler, Janet McClish, Harry Benson, and Steve Inglima of Canon. Picture by photographer Tony Downer. |