18 current and two former photojournalism students spent the weekend embedded in the Murphysboro community documenting the essence of the community as part of the school’s Weekend Workshop. 

The Weekend Workshop is an intensive photojournalism experience in which students work on assigned stories while being coached by visiting professional photojournalists who are working in the industry. The workshop, previously known as the “South of 64” workshop, was revamped when SIU photojournalism professor Julia Rendleman revived the workshop after taking over for previous professor Mark Dolan. 

“The workshop is one of the best ways for students to learn quickly – it’s like a boot camp,” Rendleman said. “Plus they get to meet visiting professionals who are working in the industry. It’s just learning on steroids.”

Rendleman said what makes the Weekend Workshop special is how the students get constant feedback and critique on their work. 

“It is the thing that helps set our students apart and advances them in the world of photography, so much more than just traditional classroom learning,” Rendleman said. 

Students spent their weekend shadowing stories ranging from 17th Street BBQ all the way to the Murphysboro police and fire departments.  

The weekend began on Thursday, April 9 when students filed into the Murphysboro Youth & Recreation Center, which served as home base for the weekend, to meet and listen to the six visiting professionals speak on their career. 

The visiting professionals included: St. Louis Public Radio visuals editor and SIU alum Brian Munoz, Tennessean staff photojournalists and SIU alum Nicole Hester, Eastern Illinois University professor Greg Cooper and independent journalists Justin Cook, Kenn Cook Jr., and Cornell Watson. 

Cooper also brought three photojournalism students from EIU to participate. 

“It’s really amazing,” Cooper said of the event. “There’s an opportunity to learn community journalism and how to build relationships and interact with members of the community and make meaningful stories.”  

Friday morning as the sun rose, students went out to their assigned locations and began photographing their stories. Students would take breaks from their stories throughout the day and return to home base for critiques from professionals before heading back out to the field. Once the sun set, students would gather around a projector to view the best stories during dinner. This routine continued through Saturday giving students 48 hours to work on their stories. 

“It’s been super fun,” SIU journalism student and Daily Egyptian reporter Kristin Borchers said. “I’ve been going back and forth and getting feedback. I’m surprised that I have a picture being printed for the showcase on Sunday.” 

Borchers followed the owners of George’s Resale Shop in Murphysboro and spent the day with them while they worked. 

Munoz said students’ images leveled up over the course of the weekend.

“The students here are really taking the advice that the coaches are sharing and using those pieces of advice to really level up the images that they’re making in the community,” Munoz said. “Each time that student goes out and comes back with something new, you could see those techniques being applied. I think that’s really unique to this program, and honestly, this is the way that I think people learn the best.” 

By sunset on Saturday, the students had mostly finished their stories and the recreation center was filled with freshly printed shots from all over the community.  

“It’s been a really fun experience,” EIU photojournalism student Jacksen Adkins said. “I’ve learned a lot about the area, like a million things… Murphysboro is definitely interesting.” 

Photos were displayed on Sunday at Faye, a local cafe, and members of the community flooded into the space to view the work and mingle with students and event organizers. 

“This was really amazing,” Kenn Cook Jr., said. “I had a great time, and I hope I get to come back again because this needs to happen … It’s a great program.”  

SIU journalism student and DE reporter Yahri Edmond said the workshop was a stepping stone to her growth as a photographer. 

“It’s not easy, but it’s impactful in the sense that it’s really pushed me,” Edmond said. 

While it is currently biannual, Rendleman hopes to produce the workshop yearly, but it is all contingent upon fundraising.  

“These workshops represent a real partnership between SIU photojournalism and local communities in southern Illinois,” Rendleman said. “We are always looking for communities to partner with and ways to collaborate and fundraise for the workshop. My line is always open for folks who want to discuss that.” 

The photos from this weekend will be on display at Faye until the end of the week.

News Reporter Jackson Morris can be reached at [email protected]

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