With Instagram and cell-phone photography being an integral part of society, why not learn how to properly take photographs while spending time with friends and exploring your creative side? If this interests you, then it is surely not too late to join Beaver Area High School’s Photography Club.

All high school students are welcome to attend the next March 1 meeting in Room 401 after school.

Each meeting lasts about 30 minutes, but some may last longer due to advanced material covered. For lengthier sessions, students may leave early if necessary.

Throughout the school year, meeting time updates are on the morning announcements. Photography Club members also receive notifications via the Remind app.

At meetings the instructor demonstrates and encourages members to enhance learned skills—no previous photography knowledge is required to join. Rest assured that whether a novice or seasoned photographer, one’s needs will be addressed.

Simply bring a phone or personal camera to take photos. One may even have the opportunity to borrow a professional school camera.

Through a variety of assignments, such as taking photographs on one’s own time or participating in a possible group scavenger hunt, members will evaluate each picture while the sponsor, Miss Beth Spence, explains the steps needed to properly edit the images.

A gradual walk-through of the Adobe Suite, specifically the Photoshop and Lightroom photo editing applications, will direct members how to complete the initial setup and make any photograph pop.

Once the process is explained, students have creative freedom to play with the softwares’ components and ask Miss Spence questions.

Who better to learn from than an experienced school photographer and teacher at Beaver Area High School such as Miss Spence?

Working at Beaver Area for 30 years, Miss Spence initially was a co-sponsor while functioning as a substitute, eventually taking on the role as sponsor after officially hired as a full-time teacher.

Miss Spence photographs school events, graduation, senior photos, and numerous school teams. All of her pictures are usually uploaded to basd.smugmug.com.

Why not get an inside look to the immense Photoshop procedure of school photographs?

Miss Spence will show members how to professionally edit a photo, copy and paste the alterations, and make any final changes based on one’s preference.

“You decide who you are as a photographer—changing the image or keeping it realistic,” Miss Spence explained.

Since she was a teenager, Miss Spence realized photography’s importance in her daily life as a relaxing creative outlet to explore nature’s beauty and her surroundings.

“It is fun to work with members who want to learn more of what they can do with what they have. Anyone can take a picture, but not everyone can take a good picture. To enhance photography skills, join the club,” Miss Spence stated with a smile.