Connecting with class of 2009 Hallmark Institute of Photography

Jan,

 

Everyone knows that Hallmark is a hugh investment. I've just graduated so I'm still in the process of finding work. I ultimate goal is to be

self employed I'm still in the area and plan to make some trips to New York to meet some people and see what I can

get started there. If it works out great if not we'll head back south to Nashville where I'll do freelance portrait work. I'm not too worried

about my loan payments. I've got about six months to get things up and running and I fully believe my education will pay for

itself if I approach my work as fervently as I approached my school work. My advice is to know what you want to do and

work your hardest to perfect your skills while at school. Approach every assignment with professionalism. Challenge

yourself everyday. When you are done you'll have the confidence to do any thing asked of you. That's what its about.

 

The money will follow...

Hello Future Classmates of HIP 2009!

 

My name is Shelly, I am 34 years old, mother of 3 and making a career change. Been accepted to HIP back in March, got my finances together and will be starting Sept.3rd. YEAH.... I currently reside in Sturbridge, Mass which is an hour South and east of Hallmark. I will be commuting part time and staying in Greenfield part time.

Talk about an adjustment, I understand completely for those traveling from afar and staying for 10 months away from everything you know and love. This will be the longest I have ever been away from my kids and husband. For the most part I will be going home on weekends but when the work load gets rolling I will be in staying closer to school.

Now this is just a waiting game.

If anyone has any questions on the Mass. snow or other questions just let me know.

 

Look forward to meeting all of you and hopefully working together soon.

 

Thanks Gidget for this post !

Smiles

Shelly

Hey Shelly,

 

Congrats on the acceptance and double congrats on being brave enough to do this for yourself and your family's future!

 

I may need some driving lessons once it snows. Are you willing to help a sister out? LOL I am a bit intimidated with driving in the snow. I think the packed snow isn't what I am worried about, it is more the black ice stuff.

 

Anyway, what town are you staying at when you are staying? I just found a place in Greenfield. I should be there sometime in mid August (around 20th).

 

We all should get together before school begins! If anyone is up to it, post when you are going to be in town and lets set up a "coffee time".

 

Looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

Gidget

Hi Gidget,

 

Thank you, Congrats to you as well. Of course I would be willing to help, I have lived here all my life, and I do OK for the

most part. I was a mail carrier for almost 5 years and had to drive in the worst of it, snow, sleet, rain.....Ahhhh, good

times, good times...

 

I am renting a room out of someone's home in Greenfield. Very nice people thankfully, and we seemed to click which

was important for me. Even though I live in Mass. I wanted to have a backup plan just in case it snowed so much that I

couldn't get home.

 

I was told from my landlord that I could move in a week before, so that would be around Aug. 27th or so. Getting

together sounds great. The more the merrier.

 

Smiles

Shelly

Hello my name is Ginger, enrollee for the upcoming school year. Im from FL, applied and was accepted in Jan. Myself, my husband and two children with our cat and live in babysitter(grandma) moved here May 1st. Here being Turners Falls. It has been a totally new experience and an exciting one. I was able to sit in on some final reviews and even graduation. Ive been to the museum and exploring many miles in all directions. I live next to the park in Turners and the pizzaria(spell check ) has great alfredo pizza. I am very eager to meet someone attending this coming year with me. Im not exactly shy but have really met any one new here for the nearly three months we've been here. So Im looking forward to it. My email is reregnig@yahoo.com if anyone would like to talk about the upcoming year. Congrats to all aceppted!

 

Ginger

Although I am not a student there, and I don't think I could ever afford it. I am a native of that area. I grew

up not to far from Hallmark and always wanted to attend, however the financial never came through. I do have some

advice for all the out of town people. If your looking for an apartment do it now, the tend to fill up very

quickly especially when school starts. You will want to look for something on the hill, then you won't have to

much to worry about in the winter. Most of Avenue A is apartments. Turners Falls really does not have a whole lot

of to do. If your 21 then the 2nd Street Cafe is a nice lil bar. There is a bowling alley about 10 minutes from

Turners going up route 2 west, they have a small bar with a couple of pool tables, and offer candle pin bowling

and 10 pin bowling. Fall time in Western Mass is beautiful, and there are many different day trips that can be

done locally. Around the middle of October is the Pumpkin Festival in Keene NH. it has thousands of carved

pumpkins, live bands and some really great food. last years total of carved pumpkins was around 26,000.. the

range from your basic to the most amazing carvings you will ever see. Great shooting opportunity there also.

Winter in that area can be... lets just say very interesting. In the "hill towns" as that area is reffered to

often, usually doesn't get plowed until the snow has either stopped or on the verge of stopping. My best advice

for anyone driving up the hill to Hallmark, put your car in the lowest gear possible and take your time. You will

have people in 4 wheel drive fly by you, pay no attention, cause I can guarantee that you will see them no more

then a mile down the road stuck in a snowbank. Other then that, just take your time, and go slow, you will find

that the weather in Western mass can change in a second, it will keep you on your toes.

 

Although I will not be attending Hallmark I am a student at Springfield Technical Community College with a

Digital Photography major. I would be happy to get together with anyone and show them some great areas to

photograph, I still make the drive up that area often since my parents still live that area.

 

 

 

Congratulations on being accepted to Hallmark and Good Luck!

Liz,

 

Thanks for the valuable information! Some of us need all the help we can get in regards to the snow.

 

Hope you have a great year at STCC.

 

Maybe some day you will take the plunge to go to Hallmark I am sure that you would do wonderful!

 

Good Luck maybe we all will be able to connect!

 

Gidget

Anyone in the Turners Falls area yet? Look me up. I'm a 2008 graduate and and would love to meet some of you!

oh yea...mark@markdenmanphotography.com

Hey Mark,

 

I will be in town around the 30th. Are you staying in town?

 

Hope to connect some time in the 3 days before school begins with the rest of class 2009. I could email you to see if you would like to meet with us too!!

 

Gidget

Hi guys (and gals :0)!

 

I'd like to second Mark - it's a terrific experience (which sometimes feels like a rollercoaster)! I've graduated

this year (2008) and one things I can't stress enough - all Hallmarkers are one huge family. I'm sure you known

that already :-)

 

In my case, my enrollment process was waaaay far from smooth sailing, plagued with all sorts of "things" and my

head was splitting with tons of questions. I used to call and email some random alumni and ask all sorts of

things and not a single person turned me down! That was a truly unique experience and now that I'm alumni myself

(when did that happen...), now I can say that each of us has tons of advise and eager to share it. So use it for

what it worth! Don't hesitate to ask, the only stupid question is the one that you held back :-)

 

Lots of luck to each of you!

Alex Stepanov ::

alex@astepanov.com