The Stand
Summer Photo Contest continues, two Photo Meetups planned
Board members and staff at The Stand look forward to bringing back the annual South Side Photo Walk. This event continued to grow each year, until being re-imagined due to COVID-19.
The pandemic forced us to rethink this annual community engagement event but did result in a partnership with the Urban Video Project and a new Syracuse Photo Contest.
We look forward to gathering — this summer on Father’s Day — to explore, meet neighbors and document the South Side in photos. This event will be held Sunday, June 19, and open with a photo lesson by freelance photographer Marilu Lopez Fretts, with the walk led by Photo Walk Leader Shaneika Ford.
Lopez Fretts is a freelance photographer based in Syracuse. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public communications from the University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in photojournalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Ford is the owner of S’Marie Photography, a certified city of Syracuse MWBE serving the photography needs of CNY since 2016. S’Marie specializes in portrait photography with a style consisting of colorful and energetic imagery.
Professional photographers Bob Gates, Mike Greenlar, Elijah Gustus, Jeffrey Perkins and Emily Kenny will also assist in the day’s event.
Following the lesson, participants will be divided into groups and next venture out to capture the day in photos. All are welcome to return to share their favorite captured-moments with the group and receive feedback on their images.
Participants will gather at the South Side Innovation Center, 2610 S. Salina St., and check in at a table in the lobby. Free parking is offered in the center’s large lot, shared with Dunk & Bright Furniture. Doors open at noon.
The Stand will again also hold a Photo Contest – open citywide. This year, we seek photos that capture the return of summer events and in-person gatherings. Many annual events have had to take a two-year hiatus, and we want local photographers to capture their return.
The contest is open now and images will be accepted on a rolling basis until midnight, Tuesday, Aug. 9. Participants may enter up to two photos in each of our four categories and a panel of local judges will pick winners. And there will be prizes for top picks!
Some of our volunteer professional photographers have also offered to lead Photo Meetups to help encourage photographers to document in-person events.
The first meetup was held June 4, to photograph at the Taste of Syracuse, one of Syracuse’s most popular summer festivals that was canceled for the last two years. Jeffrey Perkins, a volunteer with our Photo Walks for the past four years, led the walk.
In July, Herm Card and Mike Greenlar will offer a Behind the Scenes Look at the Syracuse Mets at NBT Bank Stadium. This meetup is currently full, but those who are interested can sign up for the wait list.
Card is a photojournalist, poet, educator and motivational speaker. He has been a team photographer for the Syracuse Chiefs/Mets since 2006, as well as a volunteer photographer for local veterans groups. He is currently an adjunct professor in the Broadcast Digital Journalism and Sports Media Department at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Greenlar has been behind the lens since 1979. With an eye for the perfect shot, he’s worked as a staff photographer for the Syracuse Post-Standard Newspaper and as an on-location, editorial photographer. His images have also appeared in “Life,” Time” and “The New York Times Magazine.”
Please Note: The Photo Meetups are capped at 10 participants each. Once filled, additional registrations will be added to a wait list. Hurry, as these offerings are quickly filling up!
The annual South Side Photo Walk is open to all and can accommodate a large group of participants.
Register for:
- June 4 – Taste of Syracuse Meetup here (bit.ly/3sILwc7)
- June 19 – South Side Photo Walk here (bit.ly/39A0la9)
- July 31 – Syracuse Mets Meetup here (bit.ly/3LC6OP4)
