Photo Academy
The AbleVoices Photo Academy provides opportunities for:
Work-based learning in photography and business.
Community outreach to foster more inclusive communities.
The AbleVoices Photo Academy’s purpose is to provide a variety of community and work-based photography experiences. The interpersonal, communicative, creative, problem-solving, and technical skills learned through the Photo Academy are applicable to all types of work environments and everyday life. Photography is so much more than pressing a button!
The AbleVoices Photo Academy begins in September and ends in May. This program is in addition to our in-person Fall/Spring Photography Club. Each photographer also receives an AbleVoices Photo Academy golf shirt and portfolio.
What types of activites are available to Photo Academy photographers?
Assisting professional photographers on photo shoots.
Assisting teaching artists during program sessions (in-person and virtual).
Learning event photography during community and nonprofit events.
Assisting with corporate team building sessions.
Participating in community exhibitions and special projects.
One-on-one sessions with experienced photographers- photo feedback and creating a portfolio
Sales experience at local markets, festivals, and with local retailers
Monthly in-studio sessions to edit, print, and create photo products.
Community outreach for art and disability advocacy.
Bonus outings!
See below for past Photo Academy activities in the areas of photography, business, and community outreach.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Assist Professional Photographers on Photo Shoots- Transport equipment, set up lighting, hold the reflector, engage with the subject(s), and have opportunities to practice photography during these sessions.
AbleVoices photographers assist professional photographer, Elizabeth Ratliff to create school portraits at High Hopes Developmental preschool.
Charlie assists a professional photographer during a photo shoot for the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s ‘Kindred Stories of Disabilities’ project.
Nicholas assisted and learned about making headshots with a professional photographer. Together they made headshots for Backlight Productions theater cast.
Learn and Practice Event Photography- Photograph nonprofit, sponsor, and community partner events. Past events include the DFRC ‘Rollick and Roll’ field day, High Hopes ‘Runway for Hope’, and A Vintage Affair’s ‘Grape Stomp’.
Hannah photographs the putting contest at Community Health Systems’ annual charity golf tournament.
AbleVoices hosted a Sensory Santa event for children with disabilities. Eric is not only an AbleVoices photographer, but also one of the best Santa around!
AbleVoices photographers photograph the annual gala event every Fall.
Attend PHun Fridays!- Monthly Photo Academy PHun Friday sessions provide Photo Academy photographers opportunities to learn how to select, edit, and print their photos and create greeting cards and large, matted prints for sale at markets, festivals, retail spaces, online, and community exhibits.
Eric selects photos at the AbleVoices studio for a special project.
Eric selects photos at the AbleVoices studio for a special project.
Sami is ready to submit her photos to the County Fair!
Participate in One-on-one Photo Review Sessions- Spend time with an experienced photographer to review photos and provide feedback, one session in Fall and another in Spring. Our Photo Academy photographers also receive guidance to create a portfolio of their work.
BUSINESS:
Gain Sales Experience at Local Markets and Festivals- Greeting patrons, sharing photographs, and completing transactions for customer purchases of AbleVoices greeting cards and matted prints. Past markets/festivals include Franklin’s Pumpkin Fest, Hatcher Family Dairy Market, and various art crawls and farmer’s markets.
Bryant has honed his sales skills and enjoys working the Main Street Festival.
AbleVoices photographers dress in costume for a Fall festival. Spiderman made a sale!
AbleVoices photographer, Alex, shares about his photo to a visitor at the disability resource fair at Lipscomb University.
Earn 80% of Large Print Sales from our website store, local retailers, exhibits, and markets/festivals. Photo Academy photographers meet with local businesses to display for sale AbleVoices cards and prints in their space. Learn more about our Community Partner program here.
Photographers, Alex and Alyssa, with Williamson County Attorney General, Kim Helper. AbleVoices was commissioned to decorate the walls of the Attorney General’s office and hallways.
Alyssa signs a print for a customer at the Grand Opening of Structured Hair Salon at The Factory at Franklin. AbleVoices is grateful for Structured Hair’s support!
Eric shares some of his large prints for sale at a local market.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
Participate in Exhibits and Special Project Photo Submissions- AbleVoices has had the opportunity to participate in a number of community exhibits. Many venues also host exhibit receptions for artists and families to attend. AbleVoices encourages photographers to submit to contests, publications, ‘calls for photos’, and for participation in special events.
Nicholas attended the opening reception of the “Power of Resilence” exhibit at the Frist
Art Museum. AbleVoices was invited to showcase our photographers’ work in this collaborative exhibit.
Will shared five of his photographs at the inaugural AbleVoices PhotoSLAM! event.
Photographer, Micah, shares the AbleVoices ‘Under One Roof’ exhibit collage with his parents at the Gordon JCC‘s artist and community reception event.
Engage in Disability Advocacy- Photographers meet with and present to companies and community partners about photography and how their photographs help express themselves as someone living with a disability.
Bryant talks about one of his photos that is on exhibit at the Spring Hill Public library.
AbleVoices photographers and founder met with TN State Representative, Sam Whitson, during Disability Day on the Hill in Nashville.
Will shares his photographs with Vanderbilt Next Steps students as an alumus of the program and discusses the benefits of photography.
Participate in Bonus Outings!
AbleVoices photographers attend a bonus outing to photograph Bridgestone Arena with Predators hockey players and the team photographer..
AbleVoices photographers were invited to a Nashville Predator’s Foundation Helper grant celebration.
AbleVoices photographers were invited to photograph the gardens and have lunch with the First Lady of TN, Maria Lee, at the TN Residence in Nashville.
Registration the AbleVoices Photo Academy will be in July 2025 with programming beginning in September. Participants must have previously taken the AbleVoices Photography for Self-Expression course and be simultaneously registered for the Fall/Spring Photography Club. Check out our yearly Program Registration Schedule here.