“This semester, I’m doing an independent study with [Assistant Professor of Photography] Antonio McAfee. He brought the idea to me because I took the last photography class that I could last semester — Advanced Photography Studio — and I wanted to keep taking classes. My project is called ‘Picturing Blackness,’ and I’m going to be researching the history of photography, studying different Black photographers, and doing some re-creations [of their work]. I’m really excited about that.”
… and her media and communication studies provide a broader picture (no pun intended).
“I wanted to focus on photography specifically, but I also wanted to have more general media knowledge. I decided on the major after taking the Intro to Film class with [Director of Film Studies] Amy Corbin. I talked about it with her after — how it’s important to have a general media understanding and background. I don’t want to be too focused on one thing.”
She’s had many photography experiences across campus …
“I started by working for the [Office of Communications and Marketing], shooting events. When I started, I had to learn how to do it — it’s different from shooting people who are just standing there. I work for The Muhlenberg Weekly doing photojournalism. I am an assistant for the Muhlenberg Theatre Association, so I take pictures for their shows. I work as a photography studio assistant for digital and film students for the Department of Art. I also have my own business where I do portraits and events and creative things.”
… one of which led to an internship with local photography business McKinney Media.
“I was shooting Alumni Weekend for Communications my sophomore year, and [Carter McKinney] was shooting too. I got to show him around and give him directions to different places because he didn’t know where he was going. And he said, ‘If you ever want an internship, just let me know.’ I reached back out to him in 2025 and started my internship with him in the fall. We were doing events, mostly — a wedding, a lot of birthday parties, some corporate events. We also would have calls every week and go through editing and business practices. I became a really good event photographer because I had to work at a higher volume than I was used to. I also got better with flash photography. He gave me advice on how to market my own business and to update my website and my prices, and I learned how to work with a wider range of people. I did so much event photography in 2025 that I’m trying to do more portraits this year, just to get that creative side back.”
“I became a really good event photographer because I had to work at a higher volume than I was used to. [McKinney] gave me advice on how to market my own business and to update my website and my prices, and I learned how to work with a wider range of people.”
She’s also found a home in a wide variety of student organizations on campus.
“Half of my family is Ghanaian, and right before college, the summer of 2023, I went to Ghana. I joined the African Students Organization when I was a freshman, and I got to be on the [executive] board from the spring of my freshman year to this past fall. I made some really nice connections with other African students on campus. There were a bunch of seniors last year who were so amazing, always helping me feel included. I love being in that club. I joined the Mayhem Step Team last semester — I’d taken a lot of pictures for them, and I’ve always loved seeing them perform. It’s been a really great way for me to exercise and keep moving and connect with other Black people and people of color at my school in a different kind of way. Our Halloween showcase was super fun — I had my whole family come. Last January, my roommate at the time convinced me to try sorority recruitment. We ended up being in the same one [Phi Sigma Sigma], so that was great. I’ve made a lot of connections through that. A lot of people live near me at home [in New Jersey], and over the summer, we did a beach trip. It’s been nice to have another kind of community on campus. I feel like I have all these different kinds of spaces.”
“It’s been nice to have another kind of community on campus. I feel like I have all these different kinds of spaces.”
In 2025, Ali Calamoneri ’18 and Noah Fulcomer ’19 spent five months hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches along the West Coast from Mexico to Canada.
