Extra Credit: Photography 101

image of photograpy talent at Whalebone x Graduate Hotels Photography event

For 2022, Whalebone has teamed up with Graduate Hotels, beautifully designed places to stay in college towns across the US, to bring our audiences four in-person event experiences at select Graduate locations. Aptly named “The Extra Credit Series”—these events coincide with some better than good Whalebone Magazine issue themes for the year: Comedy, Photography, National Parks, and Dolly Parton—each event is tailored to a theme and will impart a little knowledge, a few laughs, and hopefully, a good time had by all.

Graduate Tucson x Whalebone Photography event check in
Graduate Tucson x Whalebone Photography event, Photo Issue
Graduate Tucson x Whalebone Photography event, panel talent talking on stage

The second edition of Extra Credit took place at Graduate Tucson with an evening of photography insights and how-tos, featuring a diverse group of talented photographers with specialties spanning from music to food to night sky.

Arizona can be a little hard to get to if you aren’t already in that half of the country, but no worries if you missed this one—we’re bringing a snapshot of the experience to you. 

Graduate Hotels is geared toward humans in their more formative years and with that and photography in mind, we asked a few of our friends behind the lens if they wouldn’t mind sharing how they got into the medium and how they decided their subject of choice. And of course they shared a little advice for those who may share the same passion, but might not know where to start.


The Photography 101 Panel of Expertise

Sean Parker

Nature, Landscape, and Night Sky Photographer | sean-parker.com | @seanparkerphotography
Tucson’s Best Photographer 2020

Image of photographer Sean Parker
Photo by Justin Haugen

Where did your love of photography begin?

My love for photography started with my curiosity about the stars. Growing up I’ve always been starstruck by the cosmos but it wasn’t until my first photo of the moon with my iPhone that my love for photography began. I had always enjoyed looking at the Hubble imagery or whichever photo made it to the Astronomy Picture of the Day and it went from there.

What led you to get into your specific photography style?

When I took my first photo of the moon at an astronomy-themed bar, the astronomer at the time was extremely helpful and gave me the knowledge and tools to start dabbling in astrophotography. I always thought only Hubble could take pictures of space but it was that first year of practicing that really defined my passion for astronomy and the art/science of astrophotography.

What do you want people to walk away feeling after viewing your photos? 

I hope people walk away feeling that sense of wonder. We are such a small speck of sand in this galaxy and I want people to see as much beauty in the world as I can physically capture.

Advice you have for someone who wants to pursue a photography career? 

Follow your passion and your style. Don’t let anyone tell you your photographs are wrong or do not follow the rules. Break the rules and more importantly be patient while you seek to be discovered. That will be the ultimate challenge.


Jackie Alpers

Food Photographer | jackiealpers.com | @jackiealpers
2022 Gold Muse Award + Taste Award Winner for food photography and cookbook author 

Photo of Food Photographer, Jackie Alpers

Where did your love of photography begin?

My love of photography began in Bexley, Ohio in the 1970s. When I was seven or eight my mother bought me a Mickey Mouse camera loaded with black and white film that had caught our eye in the checkout line at the supermarket during our weekly family shopping excursion. I still have some of the photos I took with that camera. From that point on I always had some sort of film camera, but it wasn’t until I took a photography class in high school that I considered photography as a personal form of expression and my chosen art form.

What led you to get into your specific photography style?

On May 2, 1986, 200 of the world’s leading photojournalists set out across America to capture the life of a nation on film in a single day. 300 images were then selected by a team of photo editors for A Day in the Life of America. The book which my parents had displayed on the living room coffee table really impacted my understanding of the power of photography and it helped me to develop my own form of documentary-style photography, which I use to this day, and which applies to food as much as it does to documenting people and places.

What do you want people to walk away feeling after viewing your photos? 

Well, hungry to start. I’d also like for them to feel happy, informed and inspired.

Advice you have for someone who wants to pursue a photography career? 

Try to take photographs every day. Be open to constructive criticism but also know the difference between that and opinion. Study and analyze the work of photographers you admire. Go to art school if you are able to and study design, color theory, and art history in addition to photography.


Neil Schwartz

Music Photographer | neilschwartzphotography.com | @neilschwartzphoto
Featured in Billboard Magazine, Vents Magazine, Phoenix New Times, and more

Image of Photographer Neil Schwartz holding a guitar
Photo by Raina Virginia

Where did your love of photography begin?

My love for photography started in Arizona while studying music therapy at Arizona State University. While in school, I worked at a music studio that sold both new and vintage guitars. My responsibilities included website design and uploading photos of the guitars to our website and social media.

What led you to get into your specific photography style?

Working at the music studio, I photographed numerous musicians. Meeting and getting to know the musicians deepened my appreciation of music. My education and knowledge as a musician provided me with a unique insight into capturing a musician’s connection with music. I get so much joy being able to document the magical experience one has with music.

What do you want people to walk away feeling after viewing your photos? 

I want my viewers to feel the room’s energy as if viewing the musician or show live. Ideally, I want viewers to look at my images and say to themselves, “I can’t wait to see a show.”

Advice you have for someone who wants to pursue a photography career? 

My advice would be to take your time and figure out what you want from photography. Research your industry and focus on one type of photography professionally. That does not mean you can’t pursue multiple areas of photography, but you don’t want to be overwhelmed. In addition, research the gear that best suits your area of photography. Dedicate time to learning about the business side of photography, such as accounting, finance, and advertising. Identify what success means to you. For me, success means incorporating my passion for photography into my work.

Graduate Tucson x Whalebone Photography event, rooftop photography tutorial
Graduate Tucson x Whalebone Photography event, attendee talking with panel talent at happy hour
Graduate Tucson x Whalebone Photography event, Graduate Tucson Hotel Lobby decor
Graduate Tucson x Whalebone Photography event, crowd watching panel discussion