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A Photography Internship

By Maya Golos

By SUNY Oneonta

December 17^th, 2024

My Experience

For my second to last semester at SUNY Oneonta, I had the wonderful opportunity to be a photography intern for the Office of Communication and Marketing. Through this internship, I feel that I improved so much in both my artistic and technical skills. I also got the chance to meet so many passionate students and faculty when I went to photograph events this semester. I feel honored that I got to see a side of campus that I wouldn't have experienced on my own. I hope to use the skills I learned this semester in my professional career and beyond.

A/C Presents Joe Gatto and Mark Jigarjian

The very first event I shot this semester was this comedy show, and I had a blast! There was a great turnout, and both the comedians were hilarious. Joe Gatto even interacted with me and posed for a photo (first row, third picture on the right).

Students scan their tickers for Joe Gatto at the Alumni Field House. SUNY Oneonta uses oneonta.universitytickets.com for all event ticket sales.

Club eXpo

This year’s club eXpo was packed to say the least! All floors of Hunt Union were filled with different clubs tabling and students browsing them.

Students demonstrate a Van de Graaff at Club Expo

Club Expo was held in the Hunt Union Ballroom

Evening with the Red Dragons

During Mayor's Cup weekend, the Office of Alumni Engagement hosted this dinner, which featured some Oneonta Athletics alumni. President Alberto Cardelle and Director of Athletics Ryan Hooper made opening remarks. A few Oneonta alumni who were on the soccer team also made speeches about their time here.

Nissim Black Concert

I took photos for an on-campus concert hosted by the Chabad of Oneonta. Our Rabbi interviewed Nissim Black, a famous Jewish rapper. This event was not a part of my internship, but I still had a great time photographing it.

Multicultural Club Expo

This event was a smaller version of club eXpo. It highlighted clubs that focus on diversity.

Parade of Nations and Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra

The Parade of Nations kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month. Students and faculty walked with their respective flags, and a musical performance featuring Alex Torres and His Latin Orchestra followed. The weather and lighting conditions were beautiful that day, and I also loved how much positivity and pride there was during this event.

University Police DWI Training

At this event, UPD Trainees were given standard DWI tests, such as the pen test, walking in a straight line and a balance test. I felt like I was a part of their training by photographing this!

Farmer's Market

These are usually the first Saturday of every month on Dietz Street, and students are given vouchers to exchange at the various stands, sponsored by the Office of Sustainability. It is such a wonderful way to support local businesses.

Student Profile

I got the opportunity to take photos for a student profile about Grace Pastino, a senior Dietetics major. We took photos in the Human Ecology and Physical Science buildings, where she had classes.

Student and Alumnus Photoshoot

During this shoot, I was able to use our photography studio with a professional lighting setup and a full backdrop. I learned a lot about how to set my camera with professional lighting as well as the best ways to take portraits.

October 7th Vigil

Another event I photographed for Chabad was a small vigil commemorating the attacks of October 7th. Our Rabbi and two students spoke, and we said prayers for peace as well. I also took a group photo of AEPi, a Jewish fraternity. It was a very somber but important event for our community. It gave us a space to grieve and honor the lives lost in this conflict.

Red's Closet in the Quad

This event celebrated LGBTQ+ individuals by showcasing different resources and clubs, such as the Gender Sexuality Alliance, displaying a model “closet” students could write on, and having fun arts and crafts.

Cruzando Ensueños

To commemorate those who migrated to the United States from Mexico, this musical performance was performed completely in Spanish. It was a very interesting performance that touched on Día de los Muertos rituals.

Cold Plunge and Sauna

The Office of Student Care and Department of Outdoor Programs hosted this event, where several brave students took ice baths at the President’s Garden. There were also refreshments and a mini sauna for students to try out.

Belonging in Oneonta Fair

This event featured student clubs, Oneonta-area businesses and resources. It was a great opportunity to get to know many of the local businesses and organizations that make our city so special.

Soup Social

Every week, the campus Food Pantry hosts a soup social where students can get free soup and socialize with others.

Alden Scholars Series

Two History professors, the Library Director and a faculty member created a book chronicling the COVID pandemic at SUNY Oneonta. It was compiled from a blog that anyone could contribute to during remote learning. It was very interesting to see the resilience of students and staff during the pandemic.

PRISM Conference

This LGBTQ+-focused conference featured a keynote speaker and student panels. It was great to see members of the SUNY Oneonta community come together to listen and learn from each other.

Fall Open House

Open House, held at Alumni Field House, gave prospective students and their families a chance to see what SUNY Oneonta has to offer. There were professors, clubs, faculty, and many others tabling there.

First-Generation Students Week: Kindness Jars

This event took place during national First-Generation College Celebration Week. Attendees decorated “Kindness Jars” and filled them with positive affirmations. Red also made an appearance!

First-Generation Students Week: Stuff-A-Dragon with the VP and AVP

At the end of national First-Generation College Celebration Week, there was a “Stuff-A-Dragon with the VP and AVP” event. It was a fun event, and I even got to stuff my own dragon!

Land Acknowledgement and Guest Speaker

To commemorate a plaque the university installed in the Academic Quad, there was a formal land acknowledgement ceremony and guest speaker: Mohawk writer, artist, and cultural historian from the Akwesasne First Nations, Darren Bonaparte. The talk he gave was very interesting since it directly correlated with what I was learning in a different class!

Life of the Mind

This was an event where professors and students presented their research using posters and digital presentations. It was a great opportunity to see what research our community is engaged in.

Rithmomachia Independent Study Group Photos

Emily Petramale, a student who is doing an independent study with Toke Knudsen, a math professor, reached out to me to help with some group photos outside of my internship. This involved a couple of different departments, including art, fashion and computer science students and faculty. It is really amazing to see so many talented individuals come together to work on a project they are passionate about.

NYSMTP- Program on Therapy Dogs in Schools

Two professors gave a talk about the importance of having therapy dogs in school. Professor of Elementary Education and Reading Barbara Vokatis brought her registered therapy dog to the presentation!

Rithmomachia/Calculator Photos

This was another shoot I did outside of my internship for the Rithmomachia independent study project. Professor Knudsen and Emily asked me to take photos of the game pieces, game board, pouches, and a mechanical calculator.

Student Marketing Shots

I arranged with a friend to take marketing shots on campus. We took photos at the library and Fitzelle. She also had access to the WONY studio, so we took some photos with their extensive CD collection.