ACC Offers Photojournalism Course Fueled by Real-World Experience

West's shot of The Wrens performing at SXSW in 2009. Credit: Kelly West/Austin-American Statesman

Great news for budding professional journalists and photographers alike — this fall, ACC offers a new course in Photojournalism (COMM 1316) led by award-winning photojournalist Kelly West of the Austin-American Statesman.

West, a professional photojournalist since 2001, is excited about how the course will benefit those who take it.

West covers the Mighty Texas Dog Walk. Credit: Spencer Selvidge

“I think students will have a much stronger grasp on how to use their equipment, a basic understanding of what it means to tell a story with images, a greater comfort level of shooting photos of people in candid situations, and an appreciation for the challenges and rewards of a career in photojournalism.”

West’s experience ranges from shooting presidential candidates and celebrities to prison inmates and homeless children. In February, she traveled to Iraq to capture Fort Hood soldiers overseas.

“I don’t really have a favorite subject to shoot, as long as it involves people and issues that matter to my community.”

West earned her master’s degree at UT-Austin while working as a teacher’s assistant in an introductory photojournalism course. She’s been a guest lecturer in multiple classes at ACC and UT, and is the recipient of a Barbara Jordan Media Award and a Carnegie-Knight Foundation journalism fellowship.

West's photo of an Iraqi soldier, Feb. 2011. Credit: Kelly West/Austin-American Statesman

COMM 1316 is a core class for journalism majors at UT-Austin. The course also transfers as a Journalism elective to Texas State University. To register, visit austincc.edu/register and view the fall schedule for Journalism courses.

For more information about the course, contact Judy Sanders at (512) 223.3249. Check out Kelly West’s website and Statesman photo blog to learn more and see some of her work.

Story thumbnail image depicts Kelly West shooting at the Mighty Texas Dog Walk, credit: Spencer Selvidge

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