Student Testimonials
“I greatly enjoyed traveling to SPEMA last year. It was a chance for me to see other artists work, as well as meet my other peers from different schools who volunteered with me at the conference. It was a good experience for me to be totally immersed in the photography world for those few days: a chance to see photography outside the classroom. SPEMA also helped me refine my portfolio. The portfolio review sessions gave for students the opportunity to talk to professionals and see what had advice they had to offer.”
—Stephanie Knaus
Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA
“SPEMA is a great experience for college students. It gives us a chance to speak with directly other artists and meet students and photographers from other parts of the country/world.
—Jane Martinez
Lycoming College
Williamsport, PA
Phil Jackson
Burning cars at Skatopia, Rutland OH, 2009
“Personally, I think that attending SPE conferences was the most important extracurricular activity I did as a photo student. It’s great to feel like a part of the photographic community in your region, and to know that everyone is there to help each other outAnd SPE is its own community of like-minded individuals who have a commitment to photo education on all levels. If you are a lifer, you will be treated like one. Meeting people and making connections on a personal level is an invaluable part of anyone’s career in the arts. And it is important for any artist to know what’s going on in the area around them.
The student shows are a great way to get your work seen too, so submit! The portfolio reviews are the highlight of any conference, so get your stuff ready and do your research on the reviewers. There is no better feeling than showing your work to someone and having them completely ‘get it.’ If they do, you should listen to what they have to say. Now that I have graduated from school, I feel an even greater desire to attend conferences and keep the photo-education fire stoked!”
—Phil Jackson, www.philjacksonphoto.com
University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
“In my experiences with SPE, I’ve found that one of the best things are the critiques. SPE really gives you the opportunity for people to look at and comment on your work that you normally wouldn’t have. The critiques I’ve recieved are possibly the most valuable ones I’ve ever had and left me with a better understanding of my work and purpose.”
—Jordan Baumgarten
University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
“I’m dating myself here, but I volunteered as a student at the 1974 SPE National Conference in Rochester, NY.
I’ve been hooked ever since for national and regional gatherings because of the offerings of great information plus being able to view amazing work. The best part is the long term relationships and friendships that have grown over these many years. I’m looking forward to the 2009 SPEMA and SPENE conference on the 6th–7th of November at Montclair State University. PLUS, the 2010 SPE National Conference in Philadelphia, March 4–7th.”
—Jeannie Pearce
University of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA
“When I was an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to participate in the national SPE conference as well as two regional events. At these conferences, I had my portfolio reviewed by professors from various schools, art critics, and other professionals in the photography industry, which helped me to think about future goals and directions regarding my work. In fact, one of my portfolio reviewers was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and after the review I made a decision to apply to the MFA program, from which I eventually graduated in 2009.
“Furthermore, I attended lectures covering a wide range of topics, from technical to philosophical issues, making me realize the different possibilities of fine art photography. Attending these SPE conferences definitely allowed me to make new discoveries.”
—Tetsugo Hyakutake
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
“SPE was a great opportunity as a student to get up close to interesting artists and thinkers. Having a chance to not only hear Jill Magid, Hassan Elahi and Trevor Paglen speak but to talk with them afterwards about their projects was a wonderful experience.”
—Artie Vierkant
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
