Our mission—preparing students for the real world

The NESOP faculty is composed of men and women of exceptional interests, talents and backgrounds. Their work is widely exhibited and published. Most are working professionals taking time from their studios to share their experience, technical skills and business practices. This diverse, talented faculty makes for a truly rich educational resource.

Sue Ann Hodges

I graduated from NESOP in 1980 and have been teaching here since 1987, which gives me a unique perspective as both A student and faculty member. In all concentrations, the focus is on making a successful image, including the area where I teach, Creative Imaging Arts. I got involved in digital imaging in its early years. Although my motivation for learning was my commercial career, the level of creative control the discipline gave me brought me back to my roots as an artist. I found that so invigorating. Today, digital technology touches every aspect of my work and is a practical part of every aspect of my business. The technology is just the tool. NESOP gives students the creative and technical knowledge to use the tool to its fullest. Our goal is to encourage students to take the techniques and skills they learn at NESOP, use them to realize their vision and produce creative, successful images.

NESOP students are prepared. Because all of us on the faculty are working professional photographers, we’re in tune with what’s happening in the industry—from new technology to changes in business models to the economic climate. We bring that knowledge to the classroom. Students get a real sense of the professional world, and they’re already a part of it when they graduate. They also learn from each other. The diversity of our student body enriches the classroom environment. Students come here with a range of experience and education. The wealth of personal histories, cultures and interests is incredible. Side by side, fine art and commercial students learn from each other. This helps them find new ways to be creative and push limits.

The creative energy, enthusiasm and collaboration here are unmatched. NESOP is a unique community. There’s genuine caring between faculty, students and staff. The bonds forged at NESOP support and motivate our students, even after graduation. Our graduates leave NESOP as part of a network of creative professionals. This keeps them informed, in touch, engaged and encouraged as they work on building their careers.

Glenn Cooper

From the day I started teaching at NESOP in 2006, my goal has been to get my students working in the field before they graduate. I want them to be working professional photographers. It’s what they came here to do, and it’s my job to make sure their education pays off. I have a graduate degree in photojournalism; but I learned most of what I know about being a [visual] journalist on the job. I want my students to learn all the things I learned outside the classroom while still in school. Because it’s concentrated, the NESOP Professional Photography Program delivers more bang for the buck when compared with other programs. My students do real-world shooting, such as hard spot news and sports, and they use real-world applications. It’s not fluff.

The journalism industry is constantly changing, both ideologically and technologically.  NESOP students are informed of these changes and skilled in the new media. Our students are defining how journalism evolves—not simply reacting to what’s being dictated to them. They’re writing the new rules for the industry.

Michael Hintlian

I have been teaching documentary photography at NESOP since 2007. I see my role to be that of a facilitator—seeing in my students’ work that which they cannot, guiding them to a constant unfolding and inquiry, helping them speak the truth through their pictures. I encourage working in the realm of ambiguity while maintaining a belief system—because, to be effective, the documentarian must take a side. Lewis Hine said that the kind of photographer that comes to documentary wants to show not only what’s wrong with the world, but also what needs to be appreciated. This is true of students in the documentary program at NESOP. They learn to use photography as a verb rather than a noun. They know that the danger of having the answer means that one ceases to grow as an individual and as an image-maker, so they’re constantly advancing their game to the next level. They are keenly aware, and they are constantly examining what they know.

The NESOP curriculum provides a structure for fulfilling student dreams, and the individuals that it attracts are amazingly dedicated and diverse. One of my students was a practicing lawyer in Thailand, came to NESOP and produced an incredible body of documentary work. These kinds of success stories are enabled by the richness of our program. It is thorough, offers choice, and demands a high level of discipline and rigor. NESOP students have a strong mastery of technical skills and they work to bring honest, full self-expression to their images. I like to take photographers to where the image-making transcends technique and evolves as language and communication. In broader, less directed programs, it’s hard to get there. In contrast, NESOP students stay focused. Their images say something. It’s always what you leave people with.

Teaching at other colleges and universities at both the undergraduate and graduate levels has given me perspective. Without exception, NESOP students are among the best prepared. They want it more. It’s a great honor and privilege to be working with photographers who are that driven.