Photographers at OHS
By Jillian Childress
Between student life, athletics, family memories and many other creative commons, the art of photography is all around Owasso High School. As both a creative outlet and a personal passion, students are using photography to preserve the many memories of student life.
In the midst of basketball season, photographer Brett Farrell has risen to capture the athleticism and skill of our teams in a way that requires dedication and focus. Because his brother is in the baseball program, he has admired sports photography and found himself quite talented. As seen at many sporting events, Farrell is always working hard to deliver quality images to players and their families.
Although he enjoys his work, he says that there are definitely difficulties in the process.
He explains, “It’s hard not to compare yourself to other photographers.”
He combats lapses in self-confidence by telling himself, “Even when it feels like I’ll never be able to get there, I definitely can.”
Anybody trying to pursue a passion can be inspired by Farrell’s perseverance, as he strives to be his best self and takes pride in his work.
Landrie Hamilton, another great example of artistic talent, focuses a large portion of her work on lifestyle photography. She has been perfecting her craft for several years and is planning to have a career in the photography field one day.
When asked about her beginnings, she describes how traditional crayon and paper art was popular around her as a kid. It wasn’t her best skill, but her creative mind was determined to create meaningful art that she was proud of. She took what was around her and made the most of it.
“I took my iPod touch, and I took my American Girl Dolls and went out in the front yard and took pictures of them and realized it was really fun,” she explains.
From humble beginnings, Hamilton’s love for photography has only grown.
Hamilton describes photography with nostalgia, saying, “Pictures are like old candles, old songs, or old perfumes. When you open them back up or listen to them again, they almost take you back to that time in your life and resurface old memories.”
For Hamilton, photography is more than giving someone something to display in their homes— it is an expression of creativity and a commitment to capturing the beauty of everyday moments.
In a third perspective of photography, Kendyll Thomas can often be spotted capturing friendships and families. She enjoys how photography can deliver people happiness and preserve memories. She enjoys capturing candid emotions from behind the lens. Thomas is the embodiment of a passionate photographer, her love for photography evident in her attention to detail.
Thomas says, “When I look back at old pictures, I feel the color of the moment again, and I hope to be able to bring memories back to life when life seems to become dull.”
When asked about her favorite part of being a photographer, she said, “I enjoy making people feel confident and beautiful.”
As someone who has had pictures taken by Thomas, she delivered, making me feel confident and beautiful. Her passion for photography truly produces stunning photos that capture her client’s intimate moments.
Photo Bailey Birkenfeld and her sister taken by Kendyll Thomas
Students at Owasso High School are excelling in the art of photography. While students like Brett Farrell pursue photography to capture athleticism, others such as Landrie Hamilton and Kendyll Thomas use photography to capture everyday moments, evident in their stunning snapshots. For these students, photography is more than a high school job— it’s a creative outlet.