Hannah Eden of Sheffield, England, always wanted to study photojournalism in Canada. Her mother was Canadian and they had visited Canada many times while Hannah was growing up. When it was time to choose where she would study, she booked a flight with her parents during the summer of 2012 and came to tour some Ontario campuses.
“The Loyalist Photojournalism program Coordinator, Frank O’Connor, met us at the College and took us through the department,” said Hannah. “As I walked down the hallway, looking at the photographs taken by graduates, I felt like I was in the ‘Hall of the Greats.’ I recognized shots I’d seen in magazines and newspapers and realized the photojournalists who had taken these amazing pictures had studied at Loyalist. At that moment, I knew this was where I had to be!”
Hannah is now completing her first year and advocates strongly for the program. “I’ve learned so much in only a few months’ time. Never before have I been so challenged — it’s exhilarating! I had taken some photography classes prior to coming to Canada, but the faculty here makes me dig deeper. They encourage me to look not only around me, but to look within myself and really put my name on the photos I take.”
Hannah has decided to challenge herself even further. This summer she is packing her bags and heading to Dawson City, a vibrant, northern community, composed of First Nations heritage and gold-rush history, on the banks of the Yukon River. Her plan is to shoot photos and video, all the while telling stories and developing her skills further.
“As a child, I would listen for hours as my mother read me stories about this unique community and its Wild West adventures,” she explains. “The contrast it offers in comparison to my life in England fills me with anticipation, and I believe it is an adventure that will help me to grow as an individual and a photographer. I’m told that it is an eclectic mix of arts, culture, wilderness and history — and I can’t help but believe that I will find many stories there, just waiting to be told.”
As Canada’s only multi-year photojournalism program, Loyalist graduates have a competitive advantage. Students gain hands-on experience working on Loyalist’s award-winning online community newspaper, The Pioneer, and they photograph, report, write and edit assignments for the student-run online news service, QNet News. By contributing content throughout the year, they build a strong portfolio of published work and transferable skills.
“I’ve learned that images and writing combined can change policies, societies and have an impact on righting wrongs,” she said. “I’m determined to develop my skills in a way that will enable me to have that impact as a photojournalist.”
Loyalist grads are working across Canada, from the biggest dailies to smaller weekly newspapers, wire services and other publications. They work as photojournalists, reporter-photographers, multimedia producers, picture and assignment editors, freelance photojournalists and photographers, and digital publishing specialists.
To learn more about the Loyalist Photojournalism program, please contact Professor Frank O’Connor at foconnor@loyalistc.on.ca or visit Photojournalism. Applicants with a degree, diploma or journalism experience can apply for advanced standing to graduate in just 15 months.