Middle school students at the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich set up their culminating photography showcase at the BGCG. As participants in the Club’s “Introduction to Photography” course, students worked throughout the winter program to develop their photography skills and build their portfolios. A selection of pieces from each student was printed and hung around the Club for display. The course was designed by Anna Meurer for her Girl Scout Gold Award, who led and taught the class.
When Meurer first started brainstorming ideas for her Scouting Gold Award, she knew she wanted to focus on a topic she was passionate about. Photography – an art form she was introduced to her freshman year at Greenwich High School – easily came to mind.
During her time at GHS, Meurer went through every photography class the department has to offer, ranging from learning darkroom basics in Photo 1 to refining a portfolio in AP 2D Design: Photo. Over the course of her four years in high school, Meurer came to cherish her camera as a creative outlet, and wanted to share this feeling with other teenagers in her community.
After speaking with Don Palmer, the Program Director at the Boys & Girls Club, it was clear that the B&GC – a local organization promoting growth and learning amongst teens – was the perfect place to lead a class. Here, Meurer has taught students about the basics of camera function, as well as beginning photography techniques such as perspective and lighting. Learning such skills allows students to continue exploring the art of photography throughout their lives, regardless of location or subject matter.
The class was a big success, and Meurer worked on finalizing a course syllabus for the Boys & Girls Club to ensure that the program can continue long past her graduation. In collaborating with the GHS art department, Meurer hopes that high school photography students will volunteer to share their artistic passions with teenagers at the Club for years to come.
