Students on the Go: Nicholas Gregory
On January 22nd, Film & TV student Nicholas Gregory had the opportunity to work as a professional photographer at the 10th Annual Stuttering Association for Youth (SAY) gala at Manhattan’s Frames. Work-Based Learning Coordinator Iris Wiener asked him if he would enjoy the unique chance to photograph stage and screen celebrities as they walked a step and repeat at the charitable red carpet event. Nicholas learned how to find camera angles on a press line as entertainers such as Hamilton’s Christopher Jackson and Hell’s Kitchen’s Brandon Victor Dixon posed; later, he circulated throughout the venue to shoot all aspects of the event. Worlds collided when Nicholas met Kaila Mullady, a beatboxer, musician, and actress from Freestyle Love Supreme, who had been a guest artist at LIHSA! Nicholas also had the opportunity to network with the event’s publicist and learn about a new side of the industry he aims to enter.
“It was really interesting to figure out how to get the right shot and right timing, it was all about being quick,” Nicholas said as he reflected on the experience. “It was very exhilarating, and I enjoyed getting to meet people from all sides of the business, from the publicist to the photographers to the actors and the writers, including Iris, who was interviewing celebrities. It was fun to see a teacher from LIHSA working in the field that I would like to be a part of one day.”
“I am so grateful that Nicholas had the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and responsibility while also helping at a charitable event,” said Rosann Gregory, Nicholas’ mother. “He has had multiple opportunities for hands-on experience to improve his film and photography skills as a student at LIHSA. This has improved his self-confidence and allowed him to express his creativity in many different ways.”
Keep scrolling to see photos from the evening.