Hallmark Institute of Photography Graduation

Let me step back in time a bit.....

September 29, 2008. First correspondence from Hallmark's Director of Admissions.
September 21, 2009. One year later. Made the decision to actualize my desire to attend photog. school.  
     Schedule interview. Prepare body of work to show them.
November 9, 2009. Interview at Hallmark.
November 20, 2009. Enrollment agreement sent. It's real.
June 11, 2010. Last day at my job.
June 19, 2010. Leave for Hong Kong for 4 weeks.
July 5, 2010. Leave Hong Kong a week earlier than expected b/c of ruptured discs in my back.
August 30, 2010. Move to MA for the start of school.
September 8, 2010. Orientation begins at Hallmark.

................time passes................

10 long months of intense training toward becoming a photographer.

Lots of assignments fulfilled in order to show proof of technical skills learned.

Friends met.

Batches of chocolate chip cookies made for friends and staff as a pick-me-up.

Seasons that changed.

Lots of snow. A record-breaking 2 snow days for Hallmark.

Spring finallllly comes.

June 1, 2011. Portfolio of images turned in.
       Watch this video that Hallmark posted about turning in our portfolios.

June 6, 2011. Portfolio review. I pass....phew!

        

June 24, 2011. Graduation Day. Some new (town) friends come to show their support. Mom and Dad are up from NJ for the special day. I walk across another stage and also find out that my portfolio awards me the distinction of being in the top 10% of my class.

June 25, 2011. My belongings are packed and we make the trek back to NJ.

Here are some pictures from Graduation. Mom took almost all these pics, as I wanted to be in them. She did pretty well, given that I had the camera on manual the whole time.

Ice Sculpture at the entrance of the auditorium

Ron and Fran, locals who became like grandparents
while I was in town

Roomies Julie (left) and Heidi (middle)

ML and me (ML and I shared meals together throughout
my time at Hallmark. What a blessing she's been.)

Mom and Dad showing their support, in more ways than one

My dear friend Jeff - a classmate at school with me.

President of Hallmark, George Rosa, and me