Photography, at its core, is about seeing the world differently, capturing a quick moment and sharing a unique perspective.
At Cerritos College, a group of students is translating their love for photography into a mission to create connection and community across campus.
The new Photography Club, currently in its developmental phase, is hoping to offer a focused, yet inclusive, outlet for students who like to express their art by capturing an image.
“As of right now, I am the president of the up-and-coming photography club in Cerritos College,” says Victor De La Rosa, who, along with his peers, began formulating the club’s vision.
The initial inspiration for the club was the desire to build a supportive network after the founding members connected during the summer semester.
The initial motivation was simple: friendship and the desire to extend that bond. “As many of us made friends throughout the summer semester, we wanted to create a community for people who don’t necessarily major in the fine arts,” he explains.
The goal is to show how a “niche club, like photography, can create relationships.”
The club’s main goal is to attract a diverse membership and inspire new photographers.
The president notes their aspiration to be a source of growth for all involved. “We also want people to become better at taking photos as we want to strive in teaching members of the club new styles that they can improve on or even expand their style,” he continues.
The future of the club is filled with practical, engaging activities designed to hone skills and foster collaboration.
While many ideas are still being finalized, the core will involve hands-on projects.
These planned activities are central to the club’s educational mission and will ensure active skill development.
“Many of our activities would consist of weekly or biweekly mini projects trying to photograph in a certain style, time of day, or including certain objects or subjects,” the president outlines. This hands-on, objective-based approach will ensure members are actively practicing and experimenting.
Flexibility and member inclusion are key principles for the emerging organization.
The leadership is “actively hearing out suggestions that can help include more member participation as well as positivity for the club as a whole,” emphasizing that they want to be fully ready for an anticipated launch in the spring semester.
They are continuously creating more and more ideas that will benefit the club, all with the hopeful establishment date in mind.
The club is currently seeking additional board members to solidify the leadership structure before the official launch.
Though new, the ambitions are clear. The club aims to be highly visible and successful, providing a welcoming space for both new and established students.
“All in all, we are still new to the club, though we hope it can be one of the most popular clubs in Cerritos College and hopefully can make new and already established students join the club and be part of a friendly community that wants the success of its members,” the president concludes.
By focusing its lens on teaching, practicing and sharing, the new Photography Club is preparing to create a supportive environment where students can capture great images and, more importantly, develop lasting connections.
