The Tigers Have Got GRReat Spirit
The Joy and Value of School Photography
Senior partakes in school spirit through student life photography
With over 300 Instagram followers on her photography account, is Senior Ava McNiel. McNiel is known around the school for her popular sports and student life photography which receives lots of attention. When looking through their photos, students get excited and revel in the captured moment again.
McNiel said, “When I post my work, I feel like people’s reactions and the way they show appreciation for my photos makes me love taking pictures.”
As part of the school newspaper, McNiel takes lots of student life photography.
“[For newspaper,] I take photos to keep people updated with what’s going on, whether it’s like sports, assemblies, events, clubs, [or] things like that,” she said. “But when it’s more on my own time or if I’m hired for a sport, I take photos to just kind of get my work out there and for my own and others’ enjoyment.”
Well known for her images, once McNiel posts the event’s photos on her Instagram, likes and comments flood through.
“I’ve gotten a lot of feedback of positive compliments and comments of appreciation. [People] show excitement for how I capture people’s emotions,” she said.
McNiel values the expressions displayed in her photos. She enjoys photographing soccer games because of the players’ activity and passion she can capture.
She said, “I feel like the action shots from soccer are always so interesting. [In] football, people have helmets on so you don’t see their face or expressions, you know. But with soccer, you get a lot more movement.”
McNiel also realizes that a vital part of games is its student section. Some of her best photos are of the students rallied up for their team and their raw enthusiasm displayed.
“Especially at sporting events, I’m not [only] focusing on the players. I’m also looking at the student section and how they’re embracing their support for the team. So when I want to show school spirit through my photos, I’ll always make sure to get pictures of students who are being really enthusiastic throughout the game and capture their excitement,” McNiel said. “And you know, if they’re dressed up a certain way I always make sure to capture that to display it as well.”
McNiel holds a strong influence in the Blue Valley community as she is the one who chooses the story depicted in her posts. Many students follow her account and eagerly await for more photos to upload.
“I feel like my photography has impacted the school community by bringing more attention to some students or sports who really don’t get to be in the spotlight,” she said. “My goal a lot of times is to capture those moments and focus on some athletes or academically challenged students who aren’t really on the pedestal. I feel like with my photography [I can] shine a light on those people.”
How Tiger Pride Impacts The School
Junior Maxine Baker, a member of Blue Valley’s “Tiger Pride,” shares how the group engages school spirit.
