Elizabethtown College hosted a new event on Oct. 27, a Photowalk around campus. Saturday morning at 6:45 a.m. photography enthusiasts and community members walked around Etown’s campus to capture the beauty of its various photogenic locations.
The Photowalk included a guided tour by junior Megan Leppo, intern at the Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC). Leppo took the photography enthusiasts around campus to Steinman Hall, the Dell, the High Library, the Baugher Student Center, and Leffler Chapel and Performance Center. The tour took about two hours. As the group walked to these various locations, photographers were able to capture any scene that they wanted.
The Photowalk began early in the morning to take advantage of the sunrise. The early morning is referred to as the “Golden Hours,” where the light isn’t as harsh and gives the photos a softer look. Local and student photographers were invited to participate. No professional camera or skill was needed for this event.
Andrew Rhoads, a local photographer, has been interested in photography since his father taught him how to use his camera. His father had a Nikon SLR camera through which Rhoads learned all the technical aspects of photography. Rhoads’ interest in photography has grown since then.
Rhoads contacted the College through the OMC’s Facebook this past July. “We were asked by Andrew to host a Photowalk on campus and we made it happen,” Leppo said. “The Photowalk was all Andrew’s idea.”
Rhoads put a lot of thought into choosing where to hold a Photowalk and found that Etown’s campus would be the best option. Rhoads believed that, “Elizabethtown’s campus is a nice cross section of the Elizabethtown area, fairly peaceful, plenty of trees, interesting buildings and people.” Rhoads added, “It’s also a great, central location with plenty of signs for anyone unfamiliar with the area.” Additionally, Rhoads believes that the changing colors of the leaves definitely capture Etown’s beauty.
Leppo has been working on the project since this summer. Social media was used to publicize this event. Flyers and posters were distributed on campus and throughout the town. “Planning this project has been ongoing, but we chose the fall to capture the beautiful fall foliage,” Leppo said.
Donna Talarico, integrated marketing manager of the OMC, is in charge of maintaining the OMC’s Facebook. Talarico used the College’s Facebook and Twitter pages to update current students and alumni about the event.
The Photowalk was an opportunity for students and community members to get involved. “I’ve heard of groups like this in other cities – a group of hobby or professional photographers that get together every so often at photogenic spots in their local area,” Talarico said. “Maybe that means it’s pretty, or historic or something unique. That said, I can see why a central PA photography group would approach us for permission to walk around our campus, especially this time of year.”
Rhoads was excited to be part of this event. “It started just as an idea for the community,” Rhoads said. “I know there are plenty of people who enjoy photography and art in the Elizabethtown area and thought this would be a good way to connect people with similar interests.”
There are plans for Rhoads to create a Facebook event for participants to share pictures. The OMC has created a way that photos can be shared to a Flickr account.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for our students to get involved,” Talarico said. She added that she thinks it is neat that people from around the region will get their photos of scenery at Etown on their websites, blogs and portfolios.
The Photowalk was an opportunity for photography enthusiasts to take advantage of Etown’s campus. “I had previously done Photowalks in the past; they’re a lot of fun and I know that the Elizabethtown College campus is a very nice, scenic area of town,” Rhoads said.
Rhoads also knew that this event would be a good way to connect with people with similar interests. Rhoads wanted one outcome out of the Photowalk: “Get outside, be with people, take good pictures and share them with anyone and everyone who is interested.”