PrairieView Class of 2013

I just made the "appointment" for Emma.  Nine more sleeps with my dog. Sixteen years and now nine more sleeps?  Not long enough.  Not nearly long enough. 

That was the text message I received from my husband on my way home from school that evening.  Reading those words my heart instantly sank.  It felt like someone just kicked me in the stomach.  This day was unenviable.  You can continuously push it back to the furthest corner of your mind, but witnessing your dog's rapid decline in health is a constant reminder that she isn't going to live forever.  This decision however, is one of the most noble acts of love you can give your pet when the time comes.

In anticipation of this day, my husband Dave, asked me if I could take some photographs of him and Emma.  Even though my schedule at PrairieView is hectic at the best of times, I knew that this was something I had to do.  As full time students enrolled in a very demanding and comprehensive program, our instructors remind us regularly to try and make time for our own personal photography projects.  When the chaos of juggling school, assignments and a personal life ensues, you can easily loose sight of why you initially made the decision to enroll at PrairieView.  This is one thing that I really respect about our instructors at PV.  Most being graduates of the Diploma Program, they have first-hand knowledge of the challenges and stress we encounter while attempting to balance school and family life.  They are genuinely there to provide support and to help us succeed with our photographic training and career aspirations.

So on a beautiful evening in mid September, Dave, Emma and I experienced a final walk through our neighbourhood together.  With my camera in hand, I attempted to document what few moments we had left with our cherished pooch.  I hope I successfully captured the roller coaster of emotion experienced that evening and was able transcend that sentiment through the lens.  These photographs where generated purely from the heart.  I don't think I have ever been so emotionally vested in a photography project before.  Hopefully the images speak for themselves....

 

The days leading up to and after Emma's appointment where grim to say the least.  Although school served as an adequate distraction, the past few days had left me feeling overwhelmed, fragile and numb.  I can honestly say that with the exception of Dave, it was the support of my classmates that really pulled me through that difficult, exasperating period. 

To me, that is one of the aspects I love most about attending PrairieView each day.  There is an undeniable bond and camaraderie amongst the students, which is something that I have never had the pleasure of experiencing before.  Life at PV can be demanding at the best of times, but the satisfaction of completing the most complex, challenging assignments with the support and collaboration of your peers is a rewarding experience.

I absolutely adore my classmates at Prairieview, and as eager I am to graduate and explore my career in photography, I can't imagine not seeing these awesome faces each day. 

Megan

Mikey

Kelsey

The quality of education at Prairieview has been exceptional.  The experience thus far, has been even greater.

Cheryl Laniuk
PrairieView Diploma Student
2012-2013