This is Mr. Morneau. The person who inspired me to pursue my education in photography and what would eventually be, my career. I feel lucky to have had such great teachers, mentors and instructors in my path to becoming a photographer; Mr. Morneau starting it all for me! I have fond memories in Mr. Morneau’s class. Sure, it was a fun class that all the senior’s loved to take but for me, it was much more than that. I love the developing process. I loved creating something with my hands. I remember Mr. Morneau, upon first meeting, being extremely skeptical that I could catch up with the class after 3 months. After a few weeks, I think we were both surprised at how quickly I caught on and that I had a knack for it.

See, I wasn’t supposed to be in that class, I was only a junior (and it was a class that consisted of only seniors). Three months into the school year, I had to change my schedule and photo class was one of the options for my extra curricular classes. It may seem unimportant, but to me, it was fate that I ended up in this class. It forever changed my life. I’ll never forget the day I called my mom because I finally knew where I wanted to go to school and what I wanted to do with my life. It was after Brooks made their presentation in our class. At that time, I figured I’d go to a 4 year college just because I was supposed to. Afterall, I always did well in school. But everything changed when I saw that presentation. I left 3 months after I graduated high school and for those next three years, I earned my Bachelors degree.

I’m just thankful. To have the opportunity to have found my passion. To see Mr. Morneau and where my photography roots started. I’m not a writer. I wish I could describe the memories that flooded back when I stepped in that class and saw the developing room, the dark room, the enlargers, the driers and the light table. It felt like home.

These are some of my favorite portraits I’ve taken. They have so much meaning to me. Mr. Morneau is retiring this year and we don’t know what will happen with the photography program. In hopes that it stays, I took some pictures just to remember.

This is so how I remember Mr. Morneau. In the equipment room, handing out film and cameras. This is one of my favorites of the bunch.

Here are some of Mr. Morneau’s digital pictures. From an email he wrote to me later that day, “Always remember to ‘have fun’ photographing, whether it be people, landscapes, or just plain old stuff!  Even on a day trip to Santa Cruz I’m shooting “stuff” – shadows against the lighthouse, close ups of classic cars, surfers hopping the fences – and having a lot of fun doing it. Sometimes things just happen – like the three images I have attached. And I love it!!!”