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art classes Birmingham — Pottery is just one art class in Birmingham offered at Samford Academy of the Arts. Photo via Samford Academy of the Arts

Has the change in seasons caused you to seek a new and creative outlet? We spoke with a local photographer and instructor at Samford Academy of the Arts to find out why you should express yourself through photography, art and more by registering for Spring 2022 classes—and why Birmingham is the perfect place to do it. Psst! You should also consider gifting a class to someone special this holiday season.

Meet Meg McKinney, Photographer at Samford Academy of the Arts

Samford Arts — Meg McKinney, photographer and instructor in Birmingham. Photo via Meg McKinney

Meg McKinney has been teaching photography at Samford Academy of the Arts for 11 years, but her love and experience goes back much farther.

She took her first photojournalism class while a junior at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri “during the film era when dark room work was part of the curriculum.” She then went on to get an M.A. in photojournalism from the University of Missouri.

She’s loved everything about photography ever since.

“I love capturing the best moments, watching the light, visually capturing the best memories and creating strong images. I’m also strongly attracted to the gear and equipment that goes with photography because those are tools that enable me to make images of all kinds.”
Meg McKinney, Photography Instructor, Samford Academy of the Arts

This spring, Meg will teach Photojournalism and Flowers and the Beautiful Outdoors.

In Photojournalism, students learn to create photo packages and photo essays with the rights and responsibilities of a photojournalist, while in Flowers and the Beautiful Outdoors, students learn how to create detailed floral images.

Ready to sign up to learn the art of photography? Browse Samford Academy of the Arts Spring 2022 Photography classes below, then register here:

Adobe Lightroom
Adopt Photoshop Basics
Outdoor Landscape Photography
Photography I
Photography II: Advanced
Photojournalism
Photographing Flowers and the Beautiful Outdoors
Understanding Your Canon DSLR
Understanding Your Nikon DSLR
Understanding Your Sony

Birmingham—the ideal backdrop for field trips

What’s especially cool about the photography program at Samford Academy of the Arts is that it allows students to learn outside of the classroom.

“There are many positive reasons for taking field trips as a photography student. One being that it provides good challenges. Students have to deal with imperfect lighting, weather and being out of their comfort zones with a camera.”
Meg McKinney, Photography Instructor, Samford Academy of the Arts

Meg’s Flowers class, for example, is one class that offers field trips. The best part—Birmingham is the ultimate backdrop.

“Birmingham has historical areas that are good for documentary work, and there is much on-going growth and change. So we have many visual opportunities.”
Meg McKinney, Photography Instructor, Samford Academy of the Arts

While specific field trip locations aren’t locked down just yet, Meg ran through a list of hopeful places that includes Birmingham areas rich with spring wildflowers, local nurseries, preserved public spaces and even an indoor location to work with still-life images.