gidgetsgallery

<p>Christina K,<br>

I attended and graduated Hallmark in 2009. I do not feel that a job would be a great idea for most people. There are few exceptions to this. One student did design work for a company that he worked for before he attended school. He also stayed up to 2am working instead of getting much needed sleep. He was an exception to be able to do work and Hallmark at the same time.<br>

Greenfield and Turners Falls are small towns, if you are planning to find a job in the community, it may be a little harder than you think, unless you have connections.<br>

You have to decide if giving less than a 100% to learning photography is good enough. Do you want to take a chance on not getting everything that you can get out of the experience for a few thousand dollars?<br>

You will find that you love being at school and want to be doing all you can do to learn everything and be involved in everything.<br>

Good Luck on finding the funding for school! I hope the best for you.</p>

<p>Christina K,<br>

I attended and graduated Hallmark in 2009. I do not feel that a job would be a great idea for most people. There are few exceptions to this. One student did design work for a company that he worked for before he attended school. He also stayed up to 2am working instead of getting much needed sleep. He was an exception to be able to do work and Hallmark at the same time.<br>

Greenfield and Turners Falls are small towns, if you are planning to find a job in the community, it may be a little harder than you think, unless you have connections.<br>

You have to decide if giving less than a 100% to learning photography is good enough. Do you want to take a chance on not getting everything that you can get out of the experience for a few thousand dollars?<br>

You will find that you love being at school and want to be doing all you can do to learn everything and be involved in everything.<br>

Good Luck on finding the funding for school! I hope the best for you.</p>

<p>Kristopher,<br>

In my opinion, they are looking for someone who will commit to the program. This means that you will stay, apply yourself and graduate the program. They do not want someone who will get there and drop out after a few weeks or months.<br>

Be yourself and express your passion for photography and you will do just fine.<br>

Gidget (Graduate of Hallmark Class of 2009) </p>

<p>Jen,<br>

I am a 2009 graduate. I would highly NOT recommend working at all during the 10 months. Think about what you want to accomplish with your time. You may be able to do a little extra work, but at what cost? Once you are involved in phase two or three (total of four phases), do you want to try to do everything and anything to get the best portfolio? Or do you just want to do what you can to get anything done for the assignments. I only know of one person who worked and successfully graduated. And he did design stuff on the computer and corresponded on-line with his people. He did say that he wished he didn't commit to them. He would rather spend any extra time on his portfolio or just to rejuvenate.<br>

Where and how far are you thinking of commuting from? I lived in Greenfield and it took about 15 minutes to get to school. Not bad. Think about it this way. In phase three and four toward the end of each phase, we were at school 12 to 14 hours a day. We were going to classed during the day and at night shooting, re-shooting, editing, retouching, you name it.<br>

I guess the bottom line is: Really think about what type of experience you want to have at Hallmark. Do you want to exist like you have in the outside world during your time here or do you want to put all of you in a very intensive 10 program and get all of what you can out of it?<br>

Hope this helps. If you have other specific questions, please ask away.<br>

Gidget<br>

P.S. Someone may have other advise for you. Which is great. You'll be able to make an informed decision, even better for you.</p>

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

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

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 HIP Class of 2009,

Check out the HIP Class of 2009 group on Flickr.com:

You can see some of our work and add your own.

I look forward to connecting with you all in another way!

Gidget

Richard,

Congrats on your acceptance. I think we are all so excited that we are going to have permanent smiles. (Well, at least for the first month!) LOL

I can't wait!

I wonder if there is a welcome reception or something for the new class??

See you soon!

Gidget

Great Pics Jerry. I like the tree (the one that is about the 5th one on the slide show).

I am excited to get back to film. I used to shoot fujichrome velvia 50. Love the colors! It will be an adjustment from the quick and easy digital, take another if it didn't work, hell take 100 more! LOL

Everything about Hallmark sounds verrrry exciting. I know it will be hard work, but I can not wait! This is definitely a dream come true! It will also be exciting to be around so many other people that have the same passion for photography!

Hi Adriane,

Wow, Japan! You do have an adjustment to make for sure.

I have not worked on a MAC, but I look forward to it at Hallmark.

I have a Calico cat. She is mostly white with black and grey. She is a cutie!

You too, when you get access to the housing database, look me up!

I look forward to meeting you!

Gidget

Hey Jerry,

Congrat!

I may be moving to Mass by Aug 17th. If any of the class of 2009 is there, let's get together for coffee/tea!! (Class of 2008 is for sure welcome, too!)

Direct email me for my cell number or go to the housing database and get it off of there!!

See you soon.

Gidget

Pantelis,

Good Luck. Hope to see you in Sept.

Gidget

Hi all,

I just created a post where the class of 2009 can connect. I just got my approval for my student loan, so everything is a go for me!!

I created the post in hopes to connect with my fellow classmates.

So Class of 2009, please drop by and say HI!!!! http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00P3WH

Gidget

Hi,

My name is Gidget. I will be attending Hallmark Institute of Photography

2008/2009. I started this post to connect with other students in the class of 2009!

When are you moving to MASS?

Are you looking for a roommate or are you living by yourself?

Where are you coming from?

Is it just you or is your family/pets coming, too?

What is your favorite subject to photograph or type of photography?

A little bit about me: I am not sure when I am moving. Some time in August, most

likely. It will be my cat and me. I am looking for a roommate. I filled out the

survey and am just waiting for the password. I am currently living in Arizona.

I am so excited about attending Hallmark, I can't wait! I am a little scared

about having to drive in snow, though. I am sure it will be fine. I'll just

drive slow. (Will that help??? lol)

I love to do macro photography. I like to shoot so close that it looks like an

abstract painting instead of say a flower.

Can't wait to connect with everyone and meet you all at Hallmark on Sept 3rd!!!

P.S. if you wish to post questions about Hallmark go to post:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00A6qQ

Please just use this post for the class of 2009 student to connect.

Thank you!!!!!!!!! :)

To Kevin B,

Just a few thoughts that might help you make your decision.

Sometimes no amount of information about someone else's life no matter how much details you receive will help you make a right choice for you. What you could ask yourself is: What quality of life do I want? Is pursuing my life's passion of (photography)going to get me to that quality of life? If you look at those answers and still can't get pass the fear of the "what if" it may not be the right time for you to make such a change in your life.

Life is strange and sometimes it is predictable. Maybe looking forward to the quality of changes that could happen in your life instead of the fear of what could happen might make it easer to make your choice.

I only offer this as a different way to view your situation. I too am making this decision. I too am an older student. I too will be getting loans. I made this decision solely based on the fact that I can not see myself not following my passion one day longer. I have chosen to take the risk of change and am embracing the uncertainty.

Whatever your decision, I hope you the best in your life!

Gidget

Hey Sharon! Sounds like a great time before classes begin. I'm sure you will have loads of fun. Does you dog surf, too? lol

I am bringing my cat, and she is afraid of people. So no kitty model here. lol

Can't wait to meet everyone and start...Gidget<div></div>

Hi everyone. Thanks for the great info (less the drama, lol).

I am enrolled in the class of 2009. I am very excited and can't wait to start!:) Anyone else out there attending 2008/2009??

Gidget