While many students like to keep their weekends to themselves, on Nov. 9, photography club officers and members came together at Brushy Creek Park to take family portraits for people in the community. The club charged $50 for a 15 minute session and five edited photos. In the past, the club has focused on skill-building in a collaborative classroom setting, but this year they are applying their knowledge in a more practical setting.

Photography club officer, senior Flora Gomez, said the club’s intentions for the event were to introduce community service in with other regular activities while still incorporating taking pictures.

“We really wanted to reach out this year and help out with the community,” Gomez said. “Our idea was family portraits so we could involve helping out with the community and work on our photo abilities. [The club is] a great way for people to see what they can do with photography.”

Officer senior Cally Hall, elaborated on the group’s goals which are centered around learning and creating safe and welcome environments in addition to the development of photography skills.

“We want people to be able to make friends, learn about photography, and give back to the community by doing something they enjoy,” Hall said. 

Backdropped by a scenic body of water illuminated by the evening sun, families smiled wide into the lenses of our very own Cedar Park students. The photography event not only raised funds for the club but also provided deeply discounted family portraits for community members, including some CPHS teachers.

“It was rewarding to take the family photos, I enjoyed knowing that I was a part of making sure these families have memories to cherish forever,” Hall said. “I was afraid I would be shy or awkward taking photos of people I don’t really know, but it went a lot more smoothly than I anticipated and was actually pretty fun.”

Regarding the club’s future, officers and members alike are excited to continue perfecting their craft and more things to come.

“It’s more than just taking a picture,” Gomez said. “We teach things like [photo] composition and work on making it fun for everyone.”

Practicing and appreciating the art form is one such thing that the club emphasizes and continues to focus on. Hall said that her enthusiasm for photography originates from early memories that were documented through pictures, and aims to provide this for other families as well.

“Photography is important…because of the way it captures moments and memories,” Hall said. “There are so many things from my childhood that I only have memories of because my mom is constantly taking pictures. At the time it was annoying to always have to pose for pictures, but now I can really see the value and cherish the memories that those photos help preserve.”

To learn more about photography club and classes, contact or visit Ms. Asha in rooms 4002 and 4003.