Gemma Pike ‘25, now in the spring of her first year at Endicott College, has been told from a young age that she has an eye for seeing things others miss. This statement is true both in the classroom, where Gemma considers herself a visual learner, but also outside of academics, where it manifested as an early interest in photography. She started out sharing photos with friends or over Instagram, but her passion for the medium truly snapped into focus once she began photography classes at CH-CH.
“I don’t think I would be where I am today without taking photography at school,” Gemma says. She brought her passion into full focus when she chose to pursue a Distinguished Scholar Diploma in Visual Arts. Working closely with Visual and Performing Arts teacher Luke DiOrio ‘10, Gemma’s journey to the diploma began at the end of her junior year, taking on internship opportunities with Luke that included photo shoots for local weddings and an ad campaign on Martha’s Vineyard. Gemma recalls taking snaps of the groomsmen before the ceremony, as well as learning the art of roaming an event, looking for just the right angle.
For her Community Project portion of the Distinguished Scholar Diploma, Gemma trained her lens on All That Jazz dance studio, where she has been dancing since age five. “I wanted to capture the community of that studio,” Gemma explains, citing the inclusiveness and support of the teachers, “and to capture that energy so others could experience it.”
Gemma’s photos from the project do exactly that, putting the emotions of the dancers on full display, whether while moving or in quieter studio moments. Her shots spotlight luminous smiles, bodies in motion, the community reflected back to itself through studio mirrors, and the intensity of a dancer in a moment of rest. Both with this community project and in personal portraits, she tries to capture the story behind her subject, using clues such as setting and lighting to provide context. From there, it’s up to the viewer: “When I’m editing the photo, I hope other people wonder more about the picture,” Gemma explains, much as the way song lyrics are open to personal interpretation.
In her final presentation for the Distinguished Scholar Diploma, it was clear that Gemma had mastered the vocabulary of photography, taking her audience on a journey that was both physical - from Joshua Tree to the London Eye to portraits of friends in their own backyards - and technical. Gemma had a chance to reflect on her use of motion blur, architecture, color, and more, making it abundantly clear that she brings her gift of “seeing beyond what others see” to her work. To wit, audience members marveled at a tiger caught in such a moment of tender repose that it looked tame enough to pet, or at the shape of a cloud perfectly echoed by the palm tree Gemma shot directly below.
Gemma describes her excitement around presenting: “I already have platforms where I share my work, but this was a chance to be taken seriously.” She relishes both the challenges of photography, such as mastering different camera settings or lighting situations, as well as the fact that every photo documents a memory.
There will certainly be both challenges ahead and memories to come; Gemma is now at Endicott College, where she is working towards a Bachelor of Science in Photography with a minor in Digital Media, TV, and Film. One can’t help but wonder what amazing things are in store, but one thing is certain: Gemma’s future will click into focus.