Hersey senior takes photojournalism seriously
Grant Hindsley does his math homework, writes papers for contemporary American history class and works weekends at the local Target - pretty typical suburban teen stuff. But this John Hersey High School senior's passion for photography has taken him to some pretty atypical places.
Hindsley, of Prospect Heights, spent some time last summer as an official photographer for the Yahoo/Pepsi Smash concert tour capturing pop sensation Corbin Bleu at local county fairs. He has worked for cable TV's Planet Green documenting action for its show "Total Wreclamation" and has shot publicity photos for a television pilot for a Chicago production company.
Hindsley, an honors student, credits his early success to being hard working and confident and "talking to the right people at the right time."
Fiddling around with a simple point-and-shoot digital camera he got in eighth grade soon turned into a serious hobby.
"I began to take pictures that told more, that meant more," Hindsley said. "I like photojournalism; capturing a story."
He said a photographer friend of his mother's, Jean Claude LeJeune, has been an early mentor. "He's taught me the philosophy of photography; capturing the moment and keeping a fresh eye."
He carries his camera with him nearly everywhere and doesn't confine himself to a single genre. He says he enjoys nature photography, taking portraits and documenting sports and news events for his high school's student newspaper. He plans to pursue a photojournalism degree at University of Missouri in Columbia.
"One of the things I strive for is not to edit my photos too much. I only do things that you could do in a dark room ... I never take content out or add a different sky."
Several of his photographs will be on display through the end of May at the Prospect Heights Library, 12 N. Elm St., Prospect Heights.