jerry_whitty

<p>They welcome you with open arms. I was going to go a few years ago and I would have been 58. They made me feel very welcome during the interviews and process. Things changed for me in the interim and I never did end up going, but I can say age has no bearing on their requirements. It's about talent and passion and if you have them, you'll do just as well as the younger student. </p>

I was there this week finding a place to live and I had the opportunity several times to

sit in on the final reviews. Saw most students get accepted but also sat in on one or

two that had their portfolios rejected. Also got to talk with some other students when I

was looking for apartments. Mixed reactions on their experiences at hallmark, but I'm

a big believer you get out of it what you put into it.

Any information or hints on to do's or not to do's is always helpful.

Congratulations on having your portfolio accepted. Would you share your web site with

us? Always love to see other's work.

Ok so I'm going to fly up to Massachusetts on June 3rd and on the 4th sit in on some

of the final reviews for the class of 2008. What an experience this should be. It will

give me an opportunity to see what we'll all be going through this time next year. Kind

of like seeing the end before the beginning.

And it gives me a chance to find a place to live hopefully too.

Jerry

Thanks glad you like that one. i love the Arboretum here in Dallas. I go quite a bit

there because it seems every-time I go I see something different. It's more than just

flowers and color there. Most people don't see the other beauty that is there. They go

mostly for the blooms and the color. I do quite a few portraits there as well. Makes for

great backgrounds.

And yes that is quite an imagination. :)

I went to a photography workshop in Santa Fe New Mexico in March. One of the guys

there shot with fujichrome velvia film and you're right, the colors were absolutely

beautiful. And while we were shooting like madmen with digital, he was taking his

time, composing just the right scene and took limited shots. He brought some

beautiful shots he took with that camera while he was stationed in Italy.

From Japan. Now that's a long way. Went to Tokyo a few years ago when my

daughter was there touring with the Broadway play 42nd Street. We ate at Friday's a

lot at the hotel.

Anyways guess since I'm not looking for a roommate I don't get access to the listing

of people attending. So I thought I'd post my .mac web site I use in case you'd like

to visit it. One of the reasons I love my Mac. http://web.mac.com/jwplano

I shoot with the Canon 5D and love the 70-200 mm lens. Never used a camera back

or large format camera before. Much less I can't remember the last time I shot with

a film camera, so the first month should be very interesting.

Jerry

As soon as I get the information I'll look you up. Don't have access to anything yet but

I believe that is coming soon. It would be nice to meet some people before school

starts for sure.

I have been accepted to the class of 2009. Quite a hassle getting a student loan even

when you have tons of years in the same industry and not to mention an almost

perfect credit score. But Sallie Mae came through with the press of a key board

button. What a gal.

Just last week I got laid off from work and am walking away with a nice severance

package, which will help tremendously. The most important thing tho is the opportunity

to be with so many people immersed in photography. What a great way to learn. I'm

hoping to clear things here in Dallas and be finding a nice apartment sometime in July

time frame.

If no one else responds to this site, I hope we at least can meet within the first days of

class. Sort of a bonding thing here on the web. I'm excited about this change in life

direction for me. My goal is to absorb all I can in these 10 months, so when someone

calls me a photographer, I feel I can live up to that title. :)

Jerry

Jim thanks for the response and thanks for the information. Actually i fly in on Sunday but

not sure if I will arrive in time for the open house. I've asked Tracy Carner to possibly set up

some meetings for me on Monday with some of the students and am hoping you won't mind

if i give her your name as well. I asked to speak to some of the older students to get more of

a feel for what it would be like myself. I'm looking forward to the visit. Lots to decide over

the next few weeks. I'm sure seeing it in person and talking with people will help

tremendously. Thanks again and appreciate your time responding.

AGE? Well for those of you worried about the age thing, I'm in my late 50's and have been

accepted and plan to be a part of the class of 2008/2009. I'm visiting the school in the

next two weeks to take the tour. Looking through the lens has no age barrier. In fact I

think this is a perfect time in life to do this. What better way to shed the corporate world

with something you love to do.

I have to admit I never thought I'd be taking out a student loan at this age. In fact I just

paid off my daughters student loan this year. But why not? It's never too late to see a

dream come true.

I do some photography work on the side now, portraits, engagements etc. But I want to

learn everything I can about photography so when I do a shoot, I have the utmost

confidence that I will make it the best experience and the best results for the client.

That's why I'm looking into the Hallmark School. I think they have the best to offer from

all I've seen.

My goal is to be the best photographer I can be. Not what someone else thinks I should

be, but what I know I can be. I have a lot to learn. I want to improve my techniques, my

style, find what direction I want this to take me to. I'm not sure, not even at this age, but I

want to find out. And I plan on doing just that.

So hopefully no one thinks age is the issue. Being creative can happen anytime in your

life. I'm just glad it's happening to me.

Looking forward to a fun, intense year with a whole new set of friends and colleagues.