AP Style Photography
Students on Bennett’s campus are not waiting until they graduate to begin their careers. Some eager Belles have started their own businesses on Bennett’s campus.
The newly renovated Journalism and Media Studies building has a steady stream of students coming and going, Monday through Friday for class. But, you’ll find JMS major Angie Pearson running her business, AP Style Photography, whenever a client needs her there. Pearson’s services include headshots, photo shoots, and portrait shots. Pearson credits her professors for making her business work.
“Dr. Welbon and Ms. Sheri [Clawson] have been awesome support for my projects. They give me free reign to set up shoots and use the equipment. And it’s not just me, everyone who wants the opportunity can just volunteer and get trained in our classes.”
Pearson’s main clients right now are students who want senior portraits taken. Pearson says she’s also worked for local business owners, and those in the local music industry. Pearson began her journey at Bennett as a psychology student. But one photograph changed her destiny.
“I had taken a picture of the Bennett Water Tower. It was when it was first put up there. The head of the JMS Department saw it, and told me she liked it.”
Pearson says that picture ended up on the front page of The Bennett Banner, print edition. She says that led to her passion for photography.
“Every morning I wake up and I think of stuff I want to shoot crazy stuff and then I think of how to make it happen.”
Pearson talks about how she started to train herself in photography.
“I would wake up everyday and just think of place to shoot and what to shoot. I didn’t think I would be able to use Greensboro, but I began to see different places to shot and different ideas to incorporate.“
The new JMS building is equipped with a photo/radio/television studio. The building has a computer lab equipped with some of the latest programs to make and edit music, photography, and video projects.
Tamara Jeffries an assistant professor in the journalism and media studies department talks about the different publications all Bennett College students can work on.
“Belle Aire is the radio show that the students are working on. Belle Vision is the TV show. The Belle magazine is a once a semester production, and The Bennett Banner [newspaper] is already up online. “
Jeffries says all of those platforms are avenues for the students to hone their skills and build their resumes.
“We would like to see students become involved in all forms of media so that they have video, or published work available or online media for them to use in the future.”
The JMS department encourages interested students from all disciplines to get involved with the different media platforms.
Pearson has taken full advantage of the opportunities presented by the department. She also gives credit to her peers for trusting in her photography skills.
“The women of Bennett College have trusted me to take their senior portraits for graduation. I am able to complete headshots for clients that need them for their portfolio or job interviews.”
Pearson says she plans to continue her business once she leaves Bennett.
“These skills and this knowledge I can take with me wherever I go. I feel as though I will be prepared for any scenario that I will be placed in.”
By: Genevieve Biggs
Bennett Banner Q&A with Angie Pearson, owner of AP Style Photography
How did you come up with the idea?
“AP Style was something I thought of on my own as a branding name not necessarily for photography, but just for myself as a professional that was trying to dive into the creative world of arts. As my photography began expanding in relation to my skills as well as interested paying clients, I knew I would need a name for my photography, so I just included AP Style to the name of the photography business I always dreamed of starting. It was that simple.”
Who are your clients?
“My clients vary from each other considering that there is a paying side of my business as well as my own personal projects that are not paid. So far I have worked with the women at Bennett College and for outside networking jobs I work with rappers, producers, and some business owners.”
When do you work?
“AP Style Photography is a business that I am only running thus far and so for it to thrive, I have to be willing to put in as many hours as it takes to successfully satisfy either my clients or networking partners. Your business is only as prosperous as the person who is running it. Right now I have no set hours. It totally depends on the assignment at hand.”
What services are you doing?
“My services include photo shoots, headshots, and portrait shots. I am also able to edit my photos through the top latest programs that people may know such as Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Adobe Illustrator.”
How can students contact you?
“Students can reach me at my emails: angeline.pearson.8@gmail.com and apearson@bennett.edu. My phone is also available to any one needing a service done. They can reach me at (916) 202-3091.”
How can you see this experience helping you once you leave Bennett?
“The experience that I have now has basically started my business for me and so when I leave Bennett College, I will be able to continue the business I have started. I have had the pleasure of learning to set up photo shoots that include stylists, designers, and models; the women of Bennett College have trusted me to take their senior portraits for graduation; I am able to complete head shots for clients that need them for their portfolio or job interviews. These skills and this knowledge I can take with me wherever I go. I feel as though I will be prepared for any scenario that I will be placed in. “
What are your plans once you leave Bennett?
“My plans, although they are subject to take a course of their own at any given time, are to continue doing outside networking projects in the Greensboro community. I will also be looking into MFA (Masters of Fine Art) programs in photography in New York and California locations. I currently have an opportunity to intern for the photographer of Urban Socialite Magazine, which will be launching this summer in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area. Networking is very vital and that is something I plan to always do for business and for myself.”
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