Current senior and future UW-Oshkosh Titan Dylan Baumgart has been capturing moments in his life one snap at a time and does not plan to stop anytime soon. Similarly, senior and future UW-Eau Claire Blugold Jessie Kolb has acquired enough milliseconds of sports highlights to last a lifetime.

Kolb is well known by coaches and fans as being the camera woman on every field. Name a sport, Kolb has shot it.

“I’ve gone to football, basketball, swim, rec ball, and wrestling to take photos this year,” she said. “I also have plans to shoot for tennis, baseball, softball, and girl’s soccer.”

Baumgart’s aesthetic is very different, showing that there isn’t only one way to create art with a camera.

“I think it’s really cool to have been able to express my ideas in the form of pictures,” he said. “Usually that comes with Piper Garner and the portraits I take of her. I’m also really proud of the concert work I’ve been doing.”

Before Kolb and Baumgart created their long list of achievements, they had to get a start somewhere.

“My mom literally threw a camera at me,” Kolb said. “She then told me to just have fun, and here I am.”

Baumgart’s beginning also occurred because of his mother’s camera. However, it was through his own initiative.

“I stole my mom’s camera,” he said. “I wanted to take pictures of Piper, and now it’s a huge part of what I do.”

Much like any other activity, people become much more self-aware. Kolb has learned more about her love for the arts; however, Baumgart has learned more about his personal habits.

“I have learned that I am terrible at managing time,” he said. “I already knew that, but I also learned that when I want to do something, I get it done and my ideas flourish because of it.”

The consciousness of one’s self is something that can grow through experience in an activity; however, outsiders can also see the hard work Kolb and Baumgart have put in.

“I am inspired by my students every day,” photography teacher Chelsea Schinker said. “They remind me what it's like to see things with new eyes and look at things differently.”

Throughout high school, especially when involved in clubs, sports, or the arts, memories are bound to form. Both Kolb and Baumgart have created these mental snapshots through their photography.

“Photoshoots with my friends have always been one of my favorite things to do,” Kolb said. “Spending time with them and doing something I love will always have an impact on me.”

Baumgart has built memories around the people he does these shoots with, even when he doesn’t know them well.

“I loved shooting Kenny Hoopla in Madison,” he said. “It’s great to hang out with cool people, and the entire energy and vibe of everything was fun.”

Not only have Baumgart and Kolb created memories of their own, those memories last for the people around them.

“I loved painting the van we did with Jessie,” Schinker said. “Working with her on her website and hearing about her various photoshoots have been fun to enjoy with her.”

The memories that Baumgart has created with Schinker have been more with his involvement and creativity in the classroom.

“He tries out so many new things in the dark room that other students haven’t done or asked to do,” she said. “I also love hearing about his concert photoshoots and all of his results from trying new things.”

Creating these memories in the classroom have impacted other students, as well as teachers. Junior Brandon Triebold has experienced the influence of both Baumgart and Kolb.

"Dylan has made my photography class super fun and so much easier to learn,” he said. “Jessie has impacted us in the pool because we have to be more careful around her camera.”

Their memories and impact can last a lifetime, but Baumgart and Kolb have a bright future ahead of them within the field of photography.

“I’m hoping to major in something related to the business side of the music industry,” Baumgart said. “I want to do something with both music and photography. I’ve always been interested in music so incorporating that into my career would be ideal.”

Kolb has decided to continue her photography career as well; however she doesn’t plan to incorporate music in her further education.

“I plan on majoring in graphic design and photography,” she said. “I’m not sure exactly what I want to do with that, but I hope to have a job in graphic design with a startup in photography on the side.”

Through her experience, Kolb has learned that though it takes a lot of work, remembering to have fun with it has pushed her, and she hopes it will push others. Baumgart also has advice for young photographers.

“Don’t waste your money on expensive equipment,” he said. “Work with what you have and shoot things that you are interested in.”

More of Baumgart’s work is featured on his Instagram @DylanBaumgartPhotography. More of Kolb’s work is showcased on the bulletin board outside of room B14 at Oshkosh West and on her website https://kolbphotography.weebly.com/.

By Sophie Burke

Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 7

April 25th, 2022

Seniors capture essence of life one picture at a time