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January 16, 2025

Central Middle School Students Set Their Sights on Photography

A group of friends pose playfully in front of a colorful backdrop while wearing various fun hats and costumes.

A group of Central Middle School students might have their sights set on becoming future photographers after their special experience.

A group of diverse teenagers stand in a spacious, well-lit room with wooden floors.

Eighth-grade students Sonja Lopez Esparaza, Victor Robledo, Kate Tellez, Giselle Ortega Valdivia, LaShawn Pierce, and their art teacher, Ronie McBride, participated in a Photography Summit at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday, November 21.

A group of people sit around a large round table with a black tablecloth in a bright room.

They joined other middle school students from various metro area schools, including Hickman Mills, Kansas City, Missouri, and the Citizens of the World Charter School.

They participated in several guided tours of the photography galleries at the famed museum. The Nelson-Atkins Museum has over 15,000 photos in its collection.

A group of friends pose playfully in front of a colorful backdrop while wearing various fun hats and costumes.

During the summit students spoke with two guest artists from the photography division at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. The professional photographers discussed how they stage their photos shoots and how they perform product-photography. The pros also talked about what they do during their personal time with photography.

Students were later placed into groups where they had to create a staged photograph. A staged vignette photograph is one that has been arranged or set up to create a specific scene or vibe. Students wrapped up the summit by presenting their staged photograph and discussed their thought process behind it.

People in creative costumes participate in a playful indoor performance or skit.

"Staged photography was challenging,” said LaShawn Pierce. "It was really hard to choose stuff and the people for the photograph,” added Giselle Ortega Valdivia. "It was cool to show who you really are," said Sonia Lopez Esparaza.

Ms. McBride and the students say they found the experience to be enriching. “I thought it was a great experience. The students got information about possible photography careers, and they discovered how staged photography is a form of art,” said McBride.