Uniontown student Emily Simpson's photo published

Saturday, April 4, 2009
Emily Simpson

UNIONTOWN, Kan. -- Emily Simpson's budding photography career is already yielding her recognition.

The Uniontown High School freshman's photograph of a grape hyacinth was recently chosen to be printed in the spring 2009 edition of Kansas Magazine. Simpson, of rural Hiattville, said staff at the magazine called her over Christmas break last year to notify her that her photo was chosen for publication in the magazine.

"I was really excited, because I really like photography," she said.

Simpson's photo, which she took along with others in her grandmother's garden in Bronson, is featured on the title page for a section in the magazine called "13 Reasons we love Kansas." The magazine lists the number one reason as "Spring Colors," and features Simpson's photo in full-page format. Simpson won $150 for her published photograph.

Simpson said she became interested in photography as an eighth grader last year under the guidance of UHS photography and journalism teacher Janice Fewins.

"I started taking a photography class last year, and she (Fewins) got me interested," Simpson said.

Fewins also influenced Simpson's decision to submit some photos she snapped in her grandmother's garden to Kansas Magazine last fall. Simpson said she was also inspired by her eighth-grade photography class.

Emily Simpson's photo was selected for publication in the Spring 2009 edition of Kansas Magazine. --submitted photos

"She loves the macrophotography and taking all kinds of nature and flower photos," Fewins said.

Simpson added she has been taking photographs since the age of 14, and primarily likes to get outdoors to snap photos of flowers and other aspects of nature. Her images of flowers and landscapes, taken with a point-and-shoot digital camera with macro --or close-up -- capability, captured Fewins' attention.

"She just absolutely submitted some of the most beautiful photos for a beginning student," Fewins said. "She showed me all these photos ... they just about knocked me over. They were all so good."

The caption that accompanies Simpson's photograph states, "Famous photographer Robert Capa once advised, 'If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough.'" Simpson uses this philosophy when taking photos -- crisp, colorful close-up images of wildflowers that provide an intimate window into the natural beauty of Kansas, according to the caption.

Simpson said she is "seriously considering" nature photography as a profession later in life.

"I'd like to do photography for a living," she said. "I think it would be cool to be published in Birds and Blooms Magazine." The issue of Kansas Magazine that features Simpson's photo is currently on newsstands in selected stores.

Her photograph also may be viewed in the UHS library.

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