A Chance to Give Back
“Poetry embodied in a single photograph,” is the slogan for up and coming photographer, Shelby Seaton. Shelby is a sophomore at York College of Pennsylvania (YCP), majoring in mass communications, with a truly unique perspective on life, one which can be witnessed through her concept: Poetic Stills Photography.
The idea behind Poetic Stills Photography, Shelby says, is to connect still life photography with poetry to show the exclusive situations and thoughts behind a single moment in time. Shelby’s one of a kind personality can also be seen throughout her photographs and the stories that go along with them.
She has had the opportunity to work with local artists, such as Native Son Records, and the Rossum Sisters, but Shelby’s favorite form of photography is taking still photographs.
“I started with taking photos of flowers, railroads, and landscapes. That helped me figure out the concepts and meanings behind my photos,” notes Shelby.
Through her own photography studies and some help from her mentor, Arthur Stewart, she was able to discover different perspectives surrounding her photographs. And like many photographers, Shelby never leaves home without her camera. Snapping photographs wherever she goes with her Nikon D 3000, which she laughingly admitted to naming Cameron Nicolas, Shelby is always capturing exclusive moments.
The enthused photographer hosted a gallery event at York College’s Student Union Building on Thursday, March 10th, 2011, from 1 to 4PM. A raffle was held during the event, in which all were welcome to participate, to raise money for Bell Socialization Services. The lucky recipients of the winning raffle tickets received one of Shelby’s exceptional photos. Shelby donated all the raffle proceeds to Bell Family Shelter, a place with which Shelby is intimately familiar and holds near to her heart.
Shelby was actually a resident, at one point, of Bell Family Shelter. She remembers being around age eight when she stayed at the shelter.
“I remember not having a house,” says Shelby, “but the people there were friendly.”
Shelby is taking this opportunity at YCP, not only to show off her evident talent as a photographer, but as a chance to give back to Bell. Through her York College Community Opportunity Scholarship Program (YCCOSP), Shelby is able to give back to a part of her community that has impacted her in immeasurable ways.
“I’m giving back to the shelter that sheltered me,” says a smiling Shelby.
To take a look at some of Shelby’s photographs, see her Facebook page “Poetic Stills Photography”.
By Melissa Smith, intern
3/16/11