Katy Lifestyles and Homes magazine Oct 2009: KATY KID - Two Katy Students Turn Their Talents To Photography

Two Katy students, one a senior and the other a recent graduate, were artists who turned their talents to photography and have shown passion and creativity behind the lens. While the two have never met and their photography styles are different, their journeys to become award-winning photographers are somewhat similar.

Emma Willoughby, a senior at Seven Lakes High School, used to carry a sketch book everywhere so she could “capture the moment.” Then, in the seventh grade she bought a disposable camera for a trip to Washington, D.C. While there she shot six more rolls of film.

Emma was instantly hooked. She put down her sketch book and asked her parents for a digital camera. Now, instead of a sketch book, she carries a camera everywhere.

Natalie Rodriguez believes a good photographer looks beyond the image and puts her heart into the photo. She ’s been putting her heart into it ever since her dad gave her an old black and white 35 mm camera a few years ago while at Taylor High. Now a freshman at Stephen F. Austin University,

Natalie knew she loved photography instantly. Like Emma, this artist is also hooked.

Both girls are self taught photographers, who have achieved award-winning status the old-fashioned way: practice. Not to mention lots of research and upgraded cameras. Just as important, they each had strong family support as well as a mentor who recognized their talent and encouraged them in their craft.

Natalie submitted portraits to an exhibition sponsored by the Teen Council at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston after hearing about it from her high school art teacher Adina Reeves.

“She read about it and encouraged me to enter. She was so supportive of me,” said Natalie.

Five of Natalie’s photographs were
displayed at the museum in the summer exhibition: Captured: A Portrait Photography Exhibition.

“I had always visited the museum and said, ‘I’ll have something of mine on the wall someday,’” said Natalie. “I saw the exhibit and it was so incredible to see my work. I didn’t want to leave.”

Natalie’s parents, mom, Nancy, and dad, Robert, are big supporters of her work.

Emma also had someone recognize her talents, besides her mom, Sue, and dad, Chris. A photography teacher last summer at yearbook camp told her about a contest after critiquing some of her photos.

“He was the first person to say to me, ‘you’re good.’ He pushed me along,” said Emma.

Emma’s work was chosen to appear in Photographer’s Forum magazine in a contest open to high school and college students. Her winning photo is now published in their Best of College Photography book.

Most recently, Emma’s photograph of a windmill surrounded by bluebonnets won both first place and Best of Show at the Texas State Fair. Emma entered her photograph in the Texas scenery/ landscape, junior division. The fair, located in Dallas, runs though Oct. 18.

Emma has an entrepreneurial side as well. She started her own photography business ( www.emmawilloughbyphotography.smugmug.com ) shooting school plays, senior portraits and rental properties. And she’s the head photographer this year on her school’s yearbook staff.

“A good photographer can look at the world and interpret in a frame; not just capturing, but interpreting. Makes reality into something else. Painting without paint, ” said Emma.

And here’s another similarity between the two, although not surprising. Both girls would like to make their living with the camera; Natalie in the advertising field and Emma, although not sure how just yet, said ideally she ’d like to live off her camera. If their achievements so far are any indication of their futures as professionals, their success is sure to be just a click away.

“I had always visited the museum and said, ‘I’ll have something of mine on

the wall someday.’ I saw the exhibit and it was so incredible to see my work.

I didn’t want to leave.” —Natalie Rodriguez with five portrait photos on display

this summer at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.