What is the Ouachita 4-H Photography Club?

The Ouachita 4-H Photography Club, led by Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell, serves as an important contribution giving youth, ages 9-19, opportunities to learn more about the different aspects of photography. Youth learn that photography is not only an art-form but is used in many different ways and can open up various types of career paths. Photography gives youth the opportunity to learn how to express themselves through what they see and experience in the world around them. It opens up opportunities to collaborate with individuals as well as local businesses and organizations.

Our club provides a wide range of hands-on activities allowing youth to sharpen their photography skills with lighting, aperture, composition, etc. Youth gain a deeper understanding of what it means to take a good photograph. Some of the club experiences include sharpening their posing skills, transferring images to canvases, mounting artwork, and entering other local art contests!

Cost and Sign-up Deadline

• The cost to join the Photography Club is $20.
• The deadline for 2023-2024 is November 1, 2023.
• Checks should be made payable to Ouachita 4-H. Please send payments to 704 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA 71291. Please send all payments directly to our office by mailing or dropping off to our office. We also have a drop box in the front of our building.

If you are enrolling in 4-H in the 4-H Online system, please be sure to select Photography Club in addition to your 4-H club.

Pay close attention to the monthly 4-H newsletter, which can be found each month on our 2 Facebook pages, Ouachita 4-H and Ouachita 4-H Shooting Sports. Dates, times, and places of meetings will vary but will be in the newsletter each month. For more information, contact Ouachita 4-H at (318) 323-2251.

Plans for 2023-2024

We have several cool things planned for this year. The monthly workshops will be at different locations around Ouachita Parish. We tried to plan the meetings as late in the day as possible to help parents get members to the meetings, but sometimes we need daylight so a few will be early. We also planned a few meetings on school holidays when the kids will be out of school.

To help members learn what 4-H is about, they will be participating in community service projects during the year. To encourage members to stay involved, we have an end of the year day trip outside of Ouachita Parish planned. The members will have several things they must participate in to be able to attend the trip. A record book contest will also be offered. A workshop will be offered to help the members understand how to fill out their record book.

This year we ask that you drop your child off and return at the end of the meeting, as we are trying to get the kids to be more involved with other members.

Requirements for Trip:

• Attend Meetings
• Complete Assignments
• Record Book
• Photo Contest, Displays, and Art Crawl

Assignments

Each month after the workshop, we will ask you to submit a few photos illustrating what was discussed at the workshop. We will then view the photos at a later meeting to critique them in order to help you learn the photography concepts. We understand that you might not be able to make every meeting; however, the lessons from each month will be emailed to the group. After viewing the lesson, your child can submit the assignment if they choose. Email assignments to ouachitaphoto@gmail.com.

Photo Displays

We will display your photos several times throughout the year. Last year we displayed our Black Bayou photos at Black Bayou’s Earth Day Celebration.

Art Crawl

In May or June, we will participate in the Downtown Art Crawl. You will be able to show off your work and maybe even sell a photo or two.

Community Service Project

The club will do a Community Service Project close to Christmas. More details to come later.

Photo Contest

This year we will have a photo contest at the end of the year. The contest will have several categories and age groups. Emails about other photo contests will be sent throughout the year.

Record Book

The record book will have sections for leadership, community service, learning experiences, awards, and photos showing some of the concepts that were taught.

The Ouachita 4-H Photography club works to grow our youth in a variety of ways, while providing diverse, hands-on experiences. We are looking forward to a fun and exciting year!