Laura Totten

Former mentor gives back: "5% of all profit is donated to the students of Youth in Focus."

Laura Totten sounds surprised to find herself making a living as a photographer. “I didn’t mean to be a photographer. I didn’t even pick up a camera until I was 20.” Laura grew up in Reno, NV, got her degree in Journalism at UNR, and then moved to Seattle to try life in a bigger city. The photography gods connected her to Jock Sturges and the course of her life was set. Laura worked for Sturges as a printer, studio manager and assistant on fashion shoots in Europe and began to learn her craft. The credential of working with the famous photographer opened doors to working with wedding photographers, which turned into her first jobs. “The power of referrals,” she calls it.

One day Laura saw an exhibit of Youth in Focus student work at Marita Holdaway’s Benham Gallery. “When I first saw the YIF work at Benham, I could tell right away that the photographer was letting me into a private world. The images weren't just snapshots of people, but real slice-of-life moments from their intimate lives. The photographer definitely had a connection with his/her subject, which is the difference between ‘taking’ a photo and ‘making’ a photo. I hadn't seen student work in a gallery such as Benham before, and I can only imagine the pride these students felt hanging their beautifully framed pieces! Can you imagine that feeling at such a young age? It's totally cool.”

Laura soon volunteered to be a mentor at Youth in Focus and worked with two students over three quarters. She recalls working with one of her mentees: “She was always eager to hang out, look through art books, and talk about different ways to make images. She was a quiet girl, but her eyes would light up when we'd look over her contact sheet and compare different images. She had 6 family members present for her student show, so she definitely has supportive people on her side. But I know her experience at Youth In Focus was something she took seriously and she may not have been introduced to photography otherwise. It is so empowering!”

Youth in Focus is a community that is blessed by countless people who give their time, their money and their passion to our students. We’ll make a point of introducing even more of these wonderful folks. For now, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to Laura.

You can learn more about Laura and help her support us at www.tottenphotography.com

	Photo by Merissa W.

AMAZING, id call it . how i can capture the world through my eyes and place it on a white piece of paper. This piece of paper holds more importance than you can imagine from thoughts, hopes, dreams, wishes & wildest whatevers—made up of endless possibilities we see as grains of black & white. The wonders & joys of being able to embrace those visions on a piece of paper are very fulfilling. watching my work of art blossom from a negative to an 11-by-14 story makes me feel like i have a purpose in life.

.... merissa w.

Youth in Focus at Seattle Arts and Lectures:
Annie Leibovitz

Youth in Focus, as an organization that empowers youth through the art of photography, has been graciously invited to have a presence at this event. We will be presenting some of our students' recent work as well as information about our classes and accomplishments.

Through her lens, the photographer Annie Leibovitz creates iconic, painterly images that have graced the covers of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. Her bold photographs of artists, athletes, film stars and politicians create an intimate link between subject and beholder. "A thing that you see in my pictures is that I was not afraid to fall in love with these people."

When: November 19 at 7:30 PM at Benaroya Hall
Tickets: $10 Student/Under 25; $25 Balcony; $35 Main Floor; $60 Patron (Patrons are invited to a post-lecture reception with Annie Leibovitz at the W Seattle Hotel). 15% discount for groups of 5 or more.
For tickets, visit www.lectures.org or call 206-621-2230.

More Youth in Focus events:
Beginning Basic B&W/Intermediate B&W/Beginning Digital
Fall End of Quarter Exhibit
Youth in Focus Gallery
2100 24th Ave. S., Suite 310, Seattle, 98144
On exhibit August 28 – November 21, 2008

Youth in Focus Advanced Black and White Class Fall 2008
'The Depths of Emotion'
Youth in Focus Adobe Youth Voices Advanced Digital Class Fall 2008
'Moments of Connection'
Both exhibits at M. Rosetta Hunter Gallery, located at Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Seattle, 98122, 206.344.4379
On exhibit December 1–12, 2008
Reception December 2, 5–7pm