News

2008 Portfolio Review Panelists Announced

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.

Barbara Bordnick is an internationally acclaimed portrait and fashion photographer. Barbara began her career in Copenhagen and Paris creating fashion imagery for the pages of Harpers Bazaar. In 1968, she returned to New York City to open her own studio and begin her forty-year career as one of the first and foremost women photographers in the nation. Her work is part of many permanent collections including the International Center for Photography in New York City, The Gilman Paper Collection in NY, The Polaroid Collection in Cambridge, MA, the George Eastman House in Rochester, NY, and the Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography in Turners Falls, MA. She is an adjunct faculty member at the Parson's School of Design, as well as a lecturer and educator at workshops, colleges and conferences around the world. To learn more about Barbara, visit barbarabordnick.com.

Beth Reynolds is an award-winning photo-documentary photographer who lives and works in St. Petersburg, FL. Her work and life reflect her ongoing desire to not only document and share the people and images around her, but more importantly, she uses this passion, empathy and skill to help those around her. Beth runs a successful publishing company, is the Photography and Digital Coordinator for the Art Center in St Petersburg, and is a public affairs specialist for the US Coast Guard Reserves. Beth lectures at workshops around the world, has published numerous books and exhibits her work across the country. Beth states, "Documentary photography walks a fine line between empathy and exploitation, between what to shoot and what not to shoot. Hard to define, the struggle is present every time a project begins. In the end, a 'true' picture reflects the truth and soul of a person. To realize such pictures, I make photo-documentaries rather than single images, because this process takes me through time and creates a more complete story." To learn more about Beth, visit photodocumentarypress.com.

David Turner is a New York City commercial/fashion photographer. David started his career in Milan, Italy, shooting features for top fashion magazines. Later he joined Fairchild Publications that publishes W Magazine and Women's Wear Daily. Living and working in NYC, David does numerous assignments for major commercial clients around the world. David is currently the Sr. Photographer for Hearst Magazines that publishes Harpers Bazaar, Esquire, and Seventeen Magazine, among others. His recent assignments include Donald Trump, Sean Combs, Nicole Kidman, Damond Dash, and Tommy Hilfiger. David brings a lifelong passion and love for the field of professional photography, in addition to a wealth of talent, experience and knowledge, exemplifying his successful career as one of New York City's most talented photographers. To learn more about David, visit davidturnerphotography.com.

Work by Instructor Michael Zide on Display at WPPI Show

If 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 Episode

Director 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.

March 26, 2006 began as a day of joy for Paul and Renee Giunta, when at two in the morning, their baby girl, Brianna, was born. Nine hours later, tragedy struck. On his way home, with their young sons Dylan and Cameron in the backseat, Paul got into a serious, single car accident. The boys were fine, but Paul was not so lucky. Paul's prognosis was very grim to the point where doctors thought that he wouldn't last through the night. After he survived that first night, the doctors told Renee that Paul would never walk, talk, or eat on his own again. Renee, knowing her husband, a former triathlete, told the doctors that Paul would never accept that diagnosis and that he would pull through this. She was right, but it hasn't been easy.

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 and his team will be photographing the entire seven day creation of the show in a photojournalistic style, from the surprise of the "door knock" to the excitement of the family when they return home to hear Design Team Leader Ty Pennington make his familiar call to "Move That Bus". Additionally, Richard has photographed the family's three children, Dylan, 7, Cameron, 4 and Brianna, almost 2, and he is currently in the process of finishing portraits that will hang in the family's new home.

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 Adults

Hallmark 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.

With our help and the help of other area sponsors, we are able to bring much needed items and holiday cheer to these children and young adults. Items on some of our wish lists include clothing, small household and personal items, sports equipment, dolls, crafts, computer related equipment, music items and/or books. The lists are usually quite modest and donors are asked to choose approximately five items from the lists assigned.

Hallmark Institute of Photography sponsors, both staff and students, will deliver over $3,000.00 worth of wrapped gifts to DSS, which will cover 13 wish lists. Hallmark students from the Class of 2008 also plan to team up with DSS staff at their office during prep night. For several joyous hours, the group will sort and prepare all the gifts from hundreds of sponsors for the delivery to the children and young adults in time for the holiday.

The Holiday Spirit is Alive in Turners Falls

From the Greenfield Recorder:

On Wednesday, the day after Mary Olive Corbiere, 83, lost almost $1,100 in cash after a truck accidentally snagged her shopping cart and her purse and the money blew into the wind and was snatched up by passersby, the community stepped up and donated at least $1,700 to replace the money Corbiere planned to spend on Christmas presents and everyday bills. One Hallmark Institute of Photography student, who said he wanted to remain anonymous, wrote a check for $1,100.

'I was very upset by what I read. I felt I had to do something personally. I am not looking for notoriety. I wanted the woman to have a nice holiday.'

Other donations came from people who stopped by the police station and the Avenue A Cafe, which set out a can to collect donations.

Hallmark President Appointed to Massachusetts Department of Education Proprietary School Advisory Council

Hallmark 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 Ever

At 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.

Hallmark's unique educational program continues to draw interest from all over the world! It's simply amazing to know that Italy, England, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines, Brazil, India, Canada and Singapore have all chosen Hallmark and have made the trip to the tiny, rural town of Turners Falls, in scenic Western Massachusetts. The town is now busting with energy and excitement as students begin canvassing the area with their equipment on a mission to create incredible images! Moving vans have made their way back to the rental agencies and some serious work is about to begin!

Iconic Commercial Photographer David Langley Joins Hallmark Institute of Photography Faculty

Hallmark 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.

"Having someone like David join our educational team further demonstrates Hallmark's continuing commitment to providing the best professional education for our students. The chance to hire someone of David's caliber is an opportunity that I'm proud of. He will add incomparable depth and strength to the best faculty in the photographic industry." states George J. Rosa III, President of Hallmark institute of Photography.

"We are extremely pleased that David has decided to share his remarkable career and professional insights with our students, beginning with the 2007-2008 class. David demonstrates the dedication and professionalism that are the trademarks of Hallmark's very talented and experienced educational team." says Lisa Devlin Robinson, Director of Education at Hallmark.

Hallmark Institute of Photography provides a real world, serious approach to professional photographic education, where training is completed within ten months. Its objective is to successfully educate and graduate professional image-makers with the technical, artistic and business skills necessary for success. Upon completion of the 10-month program, graduates can expect to open their own photographic business or fill preliminary or advanced employment positions in the diverse and competitive marketplace of today's professional imaging industry. Hallmark uses only the most up-to-date technology, highly experienced and qualified staff, and a logical and realistic set of standards and processes, providing each student with the tools they need to succeed. For more information, visit hallmark.edu.

Lois Greenfield to Address Hallmark's Graduates

Hallmark'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.

Of her work, Greenfield says: "A photograph of movement is inherently surreal. You see something completely true that actually happened, yet it is out of the grasp of human perception. On a physiological level we weren't meant to see these moments. The seemingly impossible configurations of dancers in the air are all taken as single image, in-camera photographs. ... I can't depict the moments before or after the camera's click, but I like to invite the viewer's consideration of that question."

Hallmark is honored to have such a distinguished member of the photographic profession choose to come and address our newest graduates.

2007 Guest Speaker Series Has a Great Finish

On 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 morning, Harry shared his photography including his early work from 1964, which featured the Beatles during their first momentous visit to the US, the beginning of their rise to become one of the best known musical groups of our time. Harry's stunning imagery and anecdotes of the Robert Kennedy assassination, the fall of Czechoslovakia, Romania and the Berlin Wall and Caroline Kennedy's wedding (to Edwin Schlossberg) provided a lasting feeling of awe and inspiration. The Class of 2007 and Mr. Benson ended the morning with a book signing. Students purchased signed copies of Harry's books, The Beatles and Harry Benson's America. Harry's talk was sponsored by Canon USA. Steve Inglima, from Canon, was on hand to answer questions.

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.