President’s Blog

Brookies Danielle Sandoval and Devyn Arrey were on-hand to photograph celebrity attendees.

Eleven Brookies teamed up with Brooks Institute’s  Career Services team, Eli Davis, Daniel Smith, Katie Huber and Isis Wills and attended this year’s pre-Oscars events, specifically the Eco Red Carpet and celebrity portrait session for The American Red Cross and benefit for Haiti relief.

“It was an incredible experience for me to be a part of the Oscars pre-party celebration,” said Brookie Katie Fagan, “I volunteered to help these talented photographers, who were also donating their time and expertise, to raise funds for relief in Haiti. [The photographers] definitely taught me a thing or two while they worked with each star; however, I had a few tricks up my own sleeve and was able to problem-solve in some intense moments, thanks to the influence of some great Brooks faculty.”

Our Brookies photographed celebrities including Candy Spelling, Chelsea Hightower from Dancing with the Stars and Shar Jackson from Celebrity Fit Club. The career services team was present for the two day event and made a lot of great connections!

News American Red Cross, Brooks Institute, Candy Spelling, Celebrity Fit Club, celebrity gossip, Chelsea Hightower, Dancing with the Stars, Haiti, oscars, paparazzi, Photography, Photojournalism, red carpet, Shar Jackson, The Oscars, Visual Journalism

Flyer image by Mark Turner

Outstanding work from the Brooks Institute School of Visual Journalism is being featured now at the Ventura County Arts Council Collegiate Exhibition. The exhibit runs from March 5 through March 31 at the Ventura County Government Center located at 800 South Victoria Blvd in Ventura. (The exhibition is located in the Main Administration Building, top floor of the Atrium Gallery.) The public is invited to a reception scheduled for Thursday, March 18 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

News art exhibit, Brooks Institute, photography exhibit, Photography Schools, Photojournalism, student photography, Ventura, Ventura County Arts Council, Visual Journalism

Brooks Institute’s School of Professional Photography unveils its certificate program in Wedding Photography and has begun enrolling students to begin in May of 2010. This 24-credit certificate program is designed to be completed in four sessions over 32 weeks, preparing students to successfully pursue and/or further careers in the wedding photography industry. Students in this program will gain knowledge of advance photographic techniques, lighting strategies and workflow processes as they relate to the wedding environment and flow.

“The wedding industry in the last 10 years has changed dramatically,” said Tim Meyer faculty member at Brooks Institute and professional wedding photographer. “This program is designed to give certificate recipients a competitive edge by offering tools to better understand the marketplace and to enhance their photographic technique.”

Graduates of the certificate program will be trained to approach weddings with artistic vision and demonstrate proficiency in the art of visual storytelling. This program emphasizes the skills required to work within varying wedding environments as well as the discipline necessary to work with this specific clientele from start to finish.

The Wedding Photography Certificate program is open to professionals looking to expand in their field and high school graduates ready to get a taste of what the world of wedding photography has to offer. All classes from the Wedding Photography certificate program are transferable into the BFA program at Brooks Institute if a student would wish to continue his/her studies. Those interested in learning more about the Wedding Photography Certificate program can contact an admissions representative at (888) 276-4999.

Wedding Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) will be offering a scholarship to this Brooks Institute’s Wedding Photography certificate program. To be considered for the WPPI scholarship, photography students attending WPPI 2010 need to provide WPPI judges with a portfolio of at least 12 images, an essay on the topic “why I want to be a wedding photographer,” and no more than three letters of recommendation from people in the portrait/wedding industry.  For more information about WPPI visit www.wppionline.com.

News bridezilla, Brooks Institute, celebrity weddings, education, Film and Video Production, international weddings, Las Vegas Weddings, Marriage, Visual Journalism, Wedding Photographers, Wedding Photography, wedding photos, Wedding portraits, wedding style, wedding trends, WPPI

Left to right: Yao Shiguan, Professor & Vice Dean of Teaching, Administration Division; Xiong Ying, Dean of School of Foreign Languages; Dr. Roger Andersen, President, Brooks Institute; Kuang Guozhu, President, Dalian University of Technology Photo Credit: David Litschel

The three visitors from Dalian University of Technology were accompanied by Yuhsun Edward Shih, Ph.D., Director of International Admissions, Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The purpose of the visit was to meet with Dr. Roger Andersen and David Litschel, Vice President of Academic Affairs, to discuss ways in which the two institutions could cooperate in the future. Plans are to follow up with another meeting in March.

News Brooks Institute, China, Colorado Technical University, Dalian University of Technology, Film schools, graphic design, Photography, Photography Schools, Photojournalism, Visual Journalism

Rick Rickman at reception for "The Wonder Years." Photo Credit: Nina Gomez

Brooks Institute faculty member Rick Rickman’s photographic career has taken many twists and turns. Rickman’s ability to remain flexible and his willingness to seize opportunities as they appear have allowed him to follow this luge-like course that now lands him on assignment at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. This marks his 14^th year photographing the Olympic Games.

“When I first started photography, I was strictly a news hound. I love the excitement of news. Later I did my stint with combat [photography].  When I think about what’s been happening with my career, it strikes me as a bit ironic because I never really had any interest in sports photography.  Personally, I’ve always been drawn to sports because I ran competitively most of my life, played volleyball with some pretty amazing teams and love to surf.  However, the covering sports aspect of my shooting has been somewhat accidental.  I think I’m just good at it because my hand-eye coordination has always been pretty good and my timing is pretty sharp as well.”

Just as the Olympic athletes do, Rickman will rely on his years of training, sense of discipline and physical aptitude to overcome the many challenges that the Olympic Games present for photographers.

“In the past, going on almost 40 years of this kind of coverage, the one thing that poses the most challenging equation is the number of photographers who are credentialed to cover these competitions,” said Rickman. “The number of photographers has increased exponentially and it makes capturing unique images increasingly harder. The other major challenge is staying focused on the important aspects of the games themselves. Each Olympic Games has a flavor that develops. There’s a sense of energy that carries the mood of the games forward. Think of Mexico City, Munich, LA, Barcelona, Beijing, Albertville. Every location has its own character and unique events that shaped how each Olympic Games was perceived. A photographer has to tap into that character to help bring coverage to life.”

For more information about Rick Rickman and to view his work, visit www.rickrickman.com and www.newsportphoto.com.

News 2010, Brooks Institute, learn photography, Olympic Games, Olympic Photos, Olympic Pictures, Photography programs, Photography Schools, photography tips, Rick Rickman, Vancouver, Visual Journalism, Winter Olympics

Photo Credit: Nina Gomez

Recently the Commercial class in our School of Film pitched the idea to me to make a short film explaining Brooks Institute’s Red Dot Policy. This policy was developed a very long time ago at Brooks to ensure that all students use our industry-current equipment and modern up-to-date facilities in a professional, safe, respectful and dependable manner.

Best of all, the students asked me to “star” in this video!

How could I turn down an opportunity to launch my big-screen career – especially after reviewing the script?

This film will be featured during our orientations to help students better understand the Red Dot Policy. No doubt the film will receive some laughs (whether intended or not!) while communicating to our new students key aspects of the policies and procedures used to check out equipment and reserve facilities.

Special thanks to the great film crew (below). They were well organized, professional and, best of all, fun to work with!

From Left to Right: Producer, Taylor Erickson; Director of Photography, Danielle Sandoval; Brooks Institute President, Dr. Roger Andersen; Sound Specialist/Actor, Eric Guerrero; and Director, Jared Alden (Not pictured: Editor, Dan Simmons) Photo Credit: Nina Gomez

News 15 minutes of fame, Brooks Institute, commercials, Film School, Film schools, Photography, Photography Schools, photojournalistsl, School of Film, student films, Visual Journalism

News Health, National Senior Games Association, NSGA, Photo Journalism, Photography, Photojournalism, Rick Rickman, Senior Sports, Sports, Visual Journalism

This past Sunday (August 30), 100 students participated in our October Commencement ceremony held at the historic Arlington Theatre in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara. The last two graduates to receive their Bachelor of Arts degree diplomas in Professional Photography were Katie Groth and Ace Ujimori.  Katie and Ace met when they started at Brooks three years ago. Upon receiving her diploma, Katie attempted to return to her seat with the other graduates but I asked her to stand with me as Ace crossed the stage to receive his diploma. Once Ace received his diploma from me, he turned to Katie, got down on one knee, and pulled out a small jewelry box and opened it to reveal an engagement ring. “Katie Groth, will you marry me?”  When Katie jumped into his arms with tears in her eyes, the entire graduating class erupted in cheers and gave this very special couple a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. Although most couples clearly remember where they were when they became engaged, I doubt that Katie and Ace will ever forgot this very important moment in their lives – and Brooks Institute history! “Commencement” means beginning. This past Sunday ’s commencement was truly a new beginning for Katie and Ace and their lives together as they become Brookies (Brooks Institute alumni). Katie and Ace: the very best to you from all of your family at Brooks Institute!

News Ace Ujimori, Brooks Institute, commencement, education, Film, graduation, katie Groth, Marriage, marriage proposals, Photography, Photojournalism, Video, Visual Journalism, Weddings

Brooks Institute is proud to announce that the United States Department of Veterans Affairs  has given approval for the school to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Yellow Ribbon Program became effective on August 1, 2009 and Brooks Institute has already begun enrolling veterans for its September/October academic session.

Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will pay tuition and fees benefits up to each state’s highest public undergraduate tuition per credit hour and fees per term. In the state of California, eligible veterans will receive up to $287 per credit hour (based on eligibility tier) for classes taken at approved institutions of higher learning.  Brooks Institute continues to demonstrate its commitment to the support of our military population through its participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.  For veterans who are 100% eligible for the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Brooks Institute will provide  contributions, through the Yellow Ribbon Program, in the form of an institutional grant of up to $4,525 per year for tuition and fees that exceed the CA in-state maximum.  The VA will match this contribution, thus providing up to $9,050 for eligible veterans and ensuring military students have the opportunity to obtain an affordable degree from a premier institution.

“Eligible veterans will also receive a monthly housing allowance of up to $1,800 per month, as well as a yearly books and supplies stipend of up to $1,000 every 12 months,”  according to Brooks Institute President Dr. Roger C. Andersen.  “This new program provides veterans with a very attractive financial benefit package to attend Brooks Institute and obtain their degrees in professional photography, film, visual journalism or graphic design.”

Whether someone is completely new to the field or seeking new skills to enhance an established career, Brooks Institute’s educational philosophy of “learning by doing” can provide a person with the artistic, technical, and business expertise needed in the field of photography.

“Our 63-year old school achieved its greatest growth in the late-1940s and early-1950s with the passage of the GI Bill that followed World War II,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs David Litschel.  “Many veterans decided to pursue their dream of a career in the visual arts by attending Brooks Institute of Photography – now Brooks Institute. We anticipate another large number of veterans will take advantage of this great new program to pursue their dream at our prestigious school.”

Classes are taught by experienced instructors in professional photography, film, visual journalism, and graphic design at beautiful, scenic campus locations in Santa Barbara, California.

For more information about Brooks Institute visit www.brooks.edu.

For more information about the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/School_Info/yellow_ribbon/index.htm.

News education, Film, GI Bill, Military, Photo Journalism, Photography, Photography School, Post 9/11 GI Bill, VA, Veteren's Affairs, Visual Journalism, Yellow Ribbon Program

Photo Credit: Laurel Costa/Brooks Institute

On Friday, July 31st, Brooks Institute honored local firefighters in a private reception by giving them a poster of images from the Jesusita Fire along with messages of thanks. The poster was conceptualized by BI faculty member Bill Robbins and composed of images taken by students, staff, faculty and alumni. Those on-hand to accept a framed version of the poster and letter of gratitude on behalf of their department were: Interim Fire Chief for the City of Santa Barbara Fire Department, Andrew DiMizio; Fire Chief for the City of Montecito Fire Department, Kevin Wallace; Battalion Chief for the Ventura County Fire Department, Bryan Vanden Bossche; and Captain Ron Topolinski of the Ventura County Fire Department. Thank you to all who worked very hard to stop the Jesusita Wildfire.

News Brooks Institute, California, Firefighters, Gratitude, Jesusita Wildfire, Montecito, Photography, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Visual Journalism