We are excited to host a series of on-site, face-to-face portfolio reviews with top Industry and Academic Professionals. Critical review as our seniors present their year-long projects and embark into the professional workspace.
Reviews by Industry and Academic Professionals:
Bill Thompson - Founder, Principal Photographer, Pencilbox - Orange, CA
Billy Yarbrough - Studio Manager, La Jolla Group - Irvine, CA
Blake Sinclair - Director Of Photography at ALO Yoga - Los Angeles, CA
Dennis Keeley - Former Chair of Photography and Imaging, Art Center College of Design - Pasadena, CA
Douglas McCulloh - Interim Executive Director / Senior Curator of Exhibitions, UCR ARTS - Riverside, CA
Ellen Friedlander - Co-Director, Pasadena Photography Arts - Pasadena, CA
Everard Williams - Chair of Photography + Imaging, ArtCenter College of Design - Pasadena, CA
Geoff Scott - Photographer and Portfolio Consultant - San Diego, CA
Jonny Bell - Managing Director, Giant Artists - Los Angeles, CA
Julian Lucas - Founder Mirrored Society and Print Pomona Art Book Fair - Pomona, CA
Sonya Singh - Director of Lancer Media Group & Freelance Multimedia Journalist - Riverside, CA
Veronica Cotter - Education Development USA, Hahnemühle FineArt - Los Angeles, CA
Thankful to these professionals for offering their precious time to the Program and the next generation of Photographic Professionals.
Bill Thompson is a design photographer who specializes in shooting people for clients in the automotive, financial, healthcare, medical device, and non-profits/foundations industries. He is the founder of Pencilbox Studios a collaborative studio of creative principals and partners who work together to create concept-driven communication solutions that extend beyond the expected while building strong partnerships with clients. And board member of AIGA-OC.
Billy Yarbrough is the Studio Manager of La Jolla Group in Irvine, California, where he oversees the Photo/Video Studio management of staff and operations. As a commercial photographer, he considers himself an expert in Canon cameras, Adobe Master Suite, Capture One, and various professional lighting equipment brands. Previous Clients include Lithia Motors, SavrPak (Time Magazine Best Innovation 2021), Framework Computer (Time Magazine Best Innovation 2021), Sambazon Acai, Article One, Billabong, Quiksilver, DC Shoes, Element skateboards, Roxy, Vonzipper, Richer Poorer, Ethika, Sony Music, Flex Brand, Coopers Spirits, Dandy Del Mar, Nomadix, Unique Vintage, Lively Root, Ernie Ball, Urban Cowboy Hotels.
Blake Sinclair, Director of Photography for two prominent brands, ALO Yoga and BELLA + CANVAS, where he leads the photography efforts for digital marketing campaigns across various platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and eCommerce channels. His creative flair and a keen eye for detail are evident in the captivating lookbooks, line guides, and visual content he produces, showcasing the brand's products in the best light. Blake plays a pivotal role in developing and maintaining the visual identity and market presence of ALO Yoga and BELLA + CANVAS, making his work integral to their success in the industry.
Dennis Keeley works as an artist, photographer, teacher, and writer. His photographs have been exhibited in numerous one-person and group shows and he is published internationally in books and studies concerning the urban circumstance. He has works in the permanent collections at LACMA, MOCA, the J. Paul Getty Center Trust, and Conservation and Research Institutes and was commissioned by the California African American Museum in Los Angeles. In 2016 he was chosen by Month of Photography Los Angeles (MOPLA) to exhibit his portraits of musicians in a solo exhibition entitled, “25 Years of Music.”
Dennis Keeley is former Chair of the Photography and Imaging Program at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and has served on the Board of Directors at Angel's Gate Cultural Center in San Pedro, CA for more than ten years.
Douglas McCulloh is a versatile artist, writer, educator, and curator who intricately weaves the theme of chance into his creative works. Raised in Southern California, his artistic perspective is deeply rooted in the dynamic surroundings of the region. McCulloh graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara, before pursuing an MFA in photography and digital media from Claremont Graduate University.
As an artist, McCulloh's photography has gained international recognition, with exhibitions spanning the United States, Europe, China, and Mexico. His body of work often explores the delicate balance between randomness and intention, resulting in thought-provoking pieces that challenge conventional notions of art and photography.
Beyond his artistic pursuits, Doug McCulloh is a prolific writer, offering profound insights into the role of chance in art and the creative process. His writings provide a deeper understanding of his work and the philosophical underpinnings that guide his artistic vision.
In his role as an educator, McCulloh shares his passion for photography with students, inspiring them to explore new realms of creativity and expression. His teaching methods encourage experimentation and the discovery of unique artistic voices.
As a curator, McCulloh has curated a diverse array of exhibitions, showcasing the works of both emerging and established artists. Notably, he has curated exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the California Museum of Photography, providing a platform for artists to engage with audiences and explore the intersections of art and chance.
Doug McCulloh's multidimensional approach to creativity, blending artistry, scholarship, and education, continues to make a profound impact on the art world. His dedication to exploring the unpredictable nature of chance through photography and other mediums establishes him as a visionary in the contemporary art scene.
Ellen Friedlander is a Los Angeles-based artist who uses a variety of in-camera and post processing techniques to reveal the unpredictable, idiosyncratic, inscrutable nature of the human condition. Her style is fueled by curiosity and a commitment to a multiple point of view: drawn to the street, landscape, documentary photography and portraiture. She has been inspired by 20th century photographers (Winogrand, Callahan, Friedlander – unfortunately no relations – and Cartier-Bresson) to take to the city streets across the United States, as well as in Hong Kong where she raised her family. Friedlander holds a BFA in Art with a Minor in Photography from Ithaca College and an MA in Mass Communications from the University of Florida. After 35 years of working in all facets of the business of photography; assisting, styling, representing and working on her own photographic assignments, she has found her own way of expressing the street with the “Extended Frame.”
Friedlander is a Kipaipai fellow as well as Co-Director of Pasadena Photography Arts, which promotes diverse photography projects by established and emerging photographers worldwide through Open Show and FORUM events. She has been featured in Lenscratch, The Hand Magazine, The Candid Frame podcast – Episode #499, and guest curator on “The Crit House” podcast. During March-April, 2021, three of Friedlander’s photographs from her "Betrayal” series were in a group show at Austin Desmond Fine Art in London. During that same time, she had her first solo show at The Photographer's Eye Gallery in Escondido, CA where she exhibited her "Extended Frame" body of work. Friedlander ended 2021 with a feature in the LA Weekly, “Meet an Artist Monday.” Friedlander stays connected to the Los Angeles artist community as a member of the Los Angeles Street Collective sponsored by LACP, as well as the newly formed UOOORS Art Collective.
Everard Williams is a dedicated artist, educator, and the esteemed chair of the Photography and Imaging Department at ArtCenter College of Design. In his role, Everard leads with a passion for nurturing the next generation of visual storytellers, empowering students to push boundaries, experiment with new techniques, and discover their unique artistic voices. His work spans conceptual, portrait, fine art, and editorial photography, each image serving as a testament to the boundless possibilities within the medium.
Bringing invaluable insights from his experiences working with renowned clients such as Nike, the Seattle Film Festival, and Twentieth Century Fox, Everard ensures that students not only gain technical proficiency but also develop a profound appreciation for the artistry and storytelling inherent in photography. Through his leadership at ArtCenter, Everard strives to create an environment where creativity thrives, inviting students on a journey of visual exploration where every image tells a story waiting to be discovered.
Geoff Scott enthusiastically explores structure and form and figure in photography. He is a maker of artist's tools for Adobe Systems, Nik Software, Totally Rad, Amazon, and GoPro. His master's degree in Digital Photography from the School of Visual Arts in NYC balances his bachelor's degree in Mathematics/Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego. Teaching graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education photography classes, he details creative techniques using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. He is the co-author, with Jeffrey Tranberry, of Power, Speed & Automation in Photoshop published by Focal Press .
Jonny Bell is a dynamic and results-driven professional with a deep passion for visual content. Currently serving as the Managing Director at Giant Artists, Jonny brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to his role. His ambition and conscientious approach allow him to excel in prioritizing tasks, meeting tight deadlines, and effectively communicating with a diverse range of clients.
Prior to his role at Giant Artists, Jonny honed his skills and expertise through notable positions at Peter Bailey Productions, Magnum Photos, and eyevine. This diverse background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the industry, from production to photography to visual storytelling.
Jonny’s commitment to excellence and his ability to drive creative projects forward make him an invaluable asset to Giant Artists. His strategic vision and leadership ensure that clients receive top-tier visual content that captivates audiences and delivers impactful results.
Julian Lucas is a photographer whose work delves into the dualities of imagery, concept, and process, offering a poignant reflection on social commentary and the inevitability of nature's beauty and decay. Blending elements of fine art and photojournalism, Lucas's images strike a balance between sophistication and naivety, inviting viewers to explore the complexities of reality.
In addition to his photography, Julian is a passionate curator and the co-founder of Mirrored Society, a renowned bookstore dedicated to photobooks from across the globe. Through Mirrored Society, he curates a diverse selection of titles, fostering a global appreciation for the art of photography. Julian also founded the Print Pomona Art Book Fair, a pioneering platform showcasing independent photobook publishers and zine makers. These initiatives underscore Julian's commitment to fostering dialogue, innovation, and inclusivity within the photography community, shaping the discourse and exploration of the medium for years to come.
Sonya Singh’s work has appeared in Los Angeles magazine, Rogue magazine, NME, and Nylon, among others. She has photographed artists from clubs to stadium stages, told stories from inside maximum-security prisons, and interviewed hundreds of people from U.S. ambassadors to Slash. Her story on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" star Aubrey Plaza was featured on the cover of Rogue magazine's summer 2017 issue, and her interview with musician James Bay was featured on the summer 2019 cover.
A graduate of Pepperdine University, where she served as the executive editor of the weekly newspaper, Singh is a journalism educator, college media adviser, and multimedia reporter who specializes in culture coverage, especially anywhere live music can be found. She previously worked as an editorial assistant in London and interned in television development at BBC Worldwide in Los Angeles.
Veronica Cotter is the Education Development and Western Region Manager, Hahnemühle USA. Veronica has been in the Photo & Imaging Industry for thirty-plus years. Her career began in analog, working for companies that produced high-end B&W films and papers. Her current position with Hahnemühle USA provides the opportunity to connect with image-makers to discuss the importance of printing and paper choice.