Snapping Memories for the Snapshot Project
By Aaron E.
You have likely recently seen references to the Snapshot Project all over the NSA campus. However, how much do you really know about the Snapshot Project? Read this article to find out what the Snapshot Project is all about! You will also learn important Snapshot Project information not offered elsewhere and important photography tips.
The Snapshot Project is a program run by the NSA administration to allow students to help showcase NSA’s community in the first-ever NSA yearbook coming this year. Each month, there is a themed photography contest announced through the official NSA email system. Students, supervisors, and NSA faculty and staff are all encouraged to submit photos for the Snapshot Project using the form linked at the bottom of this article, but only student submissions will be entered in the monthly contest. Past contests have included the themes of workspaces, Christmas traditions, and serving others.
Each month, first-, second-, and third-place winners will be announced. All three monthly winners will receive an NSA sticker prize pack in the mail. This could include a Flat Navi printed on cardstock and various NSA stickers, such as the ones seen here. The winners each month will likely be included in the yearbook. However, even if your photo does not win the monthly contest, it still has the potential to be featured in the yearbook.
On the submission form, you will see that you are required to list the names of all people in the photo. However, if there are a lot of people unaffiliated with NSA in the photo, it is less likely to win the monthly contest or be included in the yearbook, as the goal of the Snapshot Project and the yearbook is to showcase the NSA community. The official Snapshot Project rules document, including the judging criteria, is linked at the bottom of this article for you to review before submitting your photo.
Individual submissions are not the only photos that will be included in the yearbook! Later this month, information about doing class photos will come out. Later, in March, clubs and other student organizations will receive information regarding getting their photos in the yearbook.
As you consider participating in the Snapshot Project, you might begin to wonder how to get a good photo if you don’t have much photography experience. If this is the case, then we’ve got you covered: one of NSA’s teachers has lots of photography knowledge to share! Miss Kandi Permann teaches the Digital Photography class at NSA and has lots of photography experience. You can find out more about Miss Permann and her Digital Photography class using the links included at the bottom of this article. Miss Permann has kindly shared her top five photography tips to help you take a great photo for the Snapshot Project:
A large part of the success of your photos is in the lighting. Shoot in daylight if possible or near a window if inside.
People look best when not in harsh direct light. Softer light (cloudy day) or shade makes skin look more natural.
The most important thing to focus on with photos of people is their eyes.
Try to be aware of distractions in the background and shift your point of view to minimize them.
Get closer and fill the frame with your subject. Allow just enough background to help tell the story.
Join in the Snapshot Project fun to contribute to the first-ever NSA yearbook and the 2022-2023 school year memories! You can start participating in the Snapshot Project right now by checking out this month's contest, involving taking pictures with Flat Navi: check your official NSA email for all the details! If you have any additional questions about the Snapshot Project, please contact Ms. Jessica Armstrong or the NSA administration. Order your yearbook here by April 15th to receive a 15 USD discount. Yearbooks will start shipping in July. And, don’t forget to check out the links below!
Snapshot Project Photo Submission Form
Columns: 🎉NSA Events
Aaron E. is a high school student from the northeastern coast of the USA who is in his second year at NorthStar Academy. He is excited to be joining the Navigator staff for the first time this year. Some of his hobbies are freshwater fishing, reading, and digital 3D modeling. He enjoys spending time in nature with family and friends and exploring it from the water. He loves most anything related to science, technology, nature, and engineering.