Grace Finley, a senior business administration major and mass communications minor from Bryant, Ark. is the lead photographer and editor of the Ouachita photo lab, which supplies photos for all of Ouachita’s major student publications. This is her story about how she came to this position.
“My older sister was a photographer for the Bryant High [yearbook] staff and I saw how much she loved taking photos,” Finley said. “I knew how successful they were in competitions and how much experience they gained. That really attracted me to the yearbook world, so I applied and began shooting my sophomore year. The awards were fun and all, but I fell in love with the feeling of covering an event and coming away with photos that could tell a story.”
Coming into college, Finley realized that she could fit her hobby into a busy schedule.
“I wanted to continue to work on a student led staff because I knew it would allow me to gain real-life experience,” Finley said. “As a freshman, I still really enjoyed taking photos so I decided to continue to hone in and better my skills.
Besides just photography, there were others who inspired Finley to take initiative in whatever field she found herself in.
“I used to feel that being a leader was a burden,” Finley said. “But in high school, my Sunday School teachers, Theresa Cunningham and Jordan Malone, really pushed me to learn from the leadership positions that I had been given. They showed me that being a leader was a gift that granted opportunities and growth as well as a chance to encourage and build others up. “
The unique purpose of Ouachita’s yearbook appealed to Finley for several reasons. She wanted to be apart of something that preserved the wonderful memories made on campus.
“The yearbook shines a light on numerous stories that the campus deserves to hear about,” Finley said. “There are many individuals who are given a chance to showcase their unique stories and talents. As the Photo Editor, I get to manage the photographers who contribute to the yearbook’s photo needs. The photo staff has the ability to take photos that could potentially be used in the Signal, Ouachitonian and all over campus. People cherish photos and I love being able to give people those photos that capture those memories for a lifetime.”
Finley extends some wisdom to those pursuing a leadership role.
“Be considerate of the ideas and of those you are leading,” Finley said. “Don’t be power hungry. Confrontation and conflict are going to happen, avoiding it hurts way more than it helps. Integrity really matters. Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others.”
by: Sarah G. Hays
