Spotlight on Huntington Photographer Emily Coleman
Emily Coleman is a good-natured, well-spoken and thoroughly grounded teenager. The Huntington High School senior is headed to Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania where she plans to study elementary education.
Ms. Coleman has participated in a variety of after-school activities over the past four years including Huntington's Habitat for Humanity chapter, the school yearbook, Key club and Young Leaders. She is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the English, Italian and art honor societies.
The teenager traveled with fellow Habitat for Humanity members to Mobile, Alabama in February 2012 and New Orleans in March 2013, to help those locales rebuild in the aftermath of violent storms that decimated large sections of those cities. This year, Ms. Coleman chaired the Huntington Relay For Life's luminaria committee, coordinated sales of the bags and related tasks.
Photography teacher Pam Piffard on Emily Coleman . . .
"Emily Coleman is an outstanding young woman. She is very dedicated student who is active in many aspects of the Huntington Community. Emily has grown tremendously as an artist and her work is a beautiful display of her skills."
Questions and Answers with Emily Coleman
Q: How old are you and what grade are you in?
Coleman: "I am 17 years old and a senior."
Q: How did you first get interested in photography?
Coleman: "I first got interested in photography when I decided to take it as an elective sophomore year. It seemed like it would be a fun class."
Q: Where do you get your ideas?
Coleman: "I get my ideas from different things. Song lyrics, my everyday surroundings or sometimes they just pop out at me. Inspiration comes to me from different places at different times."
Q: Is there any specific type of photography you like best?
Coleman: "I like digital photography best. I like to be able to see the result of what I am shooting directly after, so if I do not like the outcome I can keep shooting until I am satisfied. I also prefer to shoot portraits. I find it more fun and entertaining to shoot other people. My friends model for me."
Q: How has the Huntington photography program helped you with your love of photography?
Coleman: "I would have never found my love for photography without Huntington High School's photography program. Ms. Piffard is an amazing teacher who is so talented at what she does. Without her I would not be where I am today. She has taught me everything I know about photography. Ms. Piffard has helped me find my creative outlet in photography."
Q: Do you plan to continue with photography or go to school for it?
Coleman: "I plan to continue photography as a hobby throughout my life, but I do not intend it as a career. It is just a way for me to express myself."