An old Nikon camera and a fun elective class opened up a whole new world for Kaua‘i’s Meaghan R.
Meaghan is graduating from HTA in May, but she’s already launched her own photography business.
Like many of us, Meaghan’s first photography experience was contained within the realms of iPhone friend and family shots. But that changed when she started exploring with her dad’s 15-year-old Nikon D200. She truly got bitten by the bug after she signed up for Ms. Ernsdorf’s digital photography classes in her junior year.
“I have learned all that I know from the wonderful Mary Ernsdorf,” Meaghan says. “As I’ve grown, I’ve honed my skills in both photography and editing, learning to convey emotions and stories through my images.”
In her senior year, Meaghan and her fellow students have gone back to the roots of the art form with an analog photography class and club. Using a nifty darkroom setup on the Līhu‘e campus, they have rolled their own black and white film, shot on film cameras, and then developed their negatives and prints.
Along the way, Meaghan discovered a love for portrait photography, where she is driven to capture real people, real poses, real places, and real smiles. She started taking her classmates’ senior portraits, which quickly led to a growing list of paying clients.
“What started as a fun elective class with my friends has now turned into a passion and business that I can’t wait to take further,” she says.
Ms. Ernsdorf says it has been inspiring to watch Meaghan’s expression take form.
“Her approach to photography is always so thoughtful and even gentle, which kind of gives you a glimpse into who she is,” she says. “Her images show a quiet confidence — bold compositions that still maintain a certain softness around the edges that really draw you in. She is extraordinarily curious and has an unparalleled work ethic, so I’m excited to see where she goes with it.”
After graduation, Meaghan plans to attend a four-year college — perhaps for a degree in biochemistry – so she’s assured of a solid career base. But she’s keeping her dreams of a photography career alive.
Be sure to follow Meaghan’s journey on Insta at mkr.photography.co.
