LOS ALAMITOS, CA — Numerous elective programs can be found at Los Alamitos High School. Photography class, specifically, allows students to be invested in taking a break from essays and calculations and letting them capture the little moments in the world around them.

Why is photography important for students?

Photography is a way for students to engage their minds in an art that allows them to take a step back and focus their lens onto objects, places, and people in ways that they were previously not used to doing. 

What drives students to join photography?

Students are intrigued to find a spot on campus where they can unleash their creativity by taking a closer look at everything in their eyesight. Students enjoy capturing different people and objects because they get to move around and have the freedom to test their abilities. 

“My favorite thing I’ve photographed was an image of my friend because of the contrast of the white and black background,” Megan McLaughlin, a senior enrolled in Los Al’s AP Drawing and Painting class and photography class. 

“My first and most obvious reason why I chose this class was because I’m a senior, and I feel like it’s a good skill to know how to take good photos and I’m not at the level I want to be at yet, but I feel I can make progress throughout the year,” said Style Turk, also a senior. 

Los Al’s photography teacher 

Most of the time Mrs. Kakalia, the photography teacher, is outside with her classes and will instruct multiple tasks when it comes to taking photos. Students are able to incorporate their originality into their pictures but at the same time have to refer back to the original idea given by Mrs. Kakalia. Mrs. Kakalia originally did not study photography but has always had a passion for the arts. 

“I got a job teaching ceramics and I loved it, but when this job opened up I thought this could be something fun and I could learn something new as well,” she said. “I used to student teach at Los Al so I knew this would be a place I would want to apply to. I’ve always loved creating as a kid, teenager, and adult and photography was something more recent.”

If students are looking to engage in a class that will teach them new skills, they should consider signing up for Mrs. Kakalia’s class. Everyone in the class is driven to try and get better at their tasks whether to use them in their personal lives, on social media, or even for a career.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Layla Martinez

With this set up, photography students can take specific shots and portraits in the classroom.