CHARLOTTE, N.C./Mar. 3, 2019听鈥撎齂aleyah Braxton 鈥21 spent Fall 2018 sharpening her photography skills as an intern in the Department of University Communications and Marketing, capturing images at sports, academic and social events. She took her craft to another level with a two-day wildlife and bird photography course limited to a dozen professional nature photographers at the Carolina Raptor Center.听
Prior to stepping into the raptors' natural habitat, Braxton and the other wildlife photographers listened carefully to how they should maneuver around the birds. She noticed that the birds became fearful and that they would flap their wings to protect themselves from danger.听
She was able to capture photos of a hawk, an owl, and a golden eagle in flight.听听
鈥淭he hawk didn鈥檛 like people being behind her and she became flustered when we would try to get up close to take a photo. I was able to get up close to a small baby owl and golden eagle with a wounded wing,鈥 she said.听听鈥淚鈥檝e had pets growing up, but nothing like a giant eagle or black vulture a few feet away from me,鈥 she continued.听
One of her favorite moments was taking a photo of the hawk in flight.听听The hawk鈥檚 eyes left her in awe. 鈥淭he intensity of the hawk鈥檚 gaze amazed me.听This was truly something to see,鈥 she said.听
Alongside professional photographers, Braxton learned how to operate camera equipment effectively and improve her camera angles to get the best photo.听
She met John, a wildlife photographer, who admired that she was a student at 星空无限传媒 who had an interest in wild life photography. He allowed her to use some of his equipment.听
鈥淛ohn let me use his 18-400mm on the first day and the next day he let me use his 28-300 mm Tamron lens.鈥澨
Prior to attending the wildlife photography course in November 2018, Braxton attended PhotoWild, a two-day event that allows bird lovers and wildlife photography enthusiasts to photograph the birds without instruction. She enjoyed the October experience so much that she was excited to have the opportunity to take the class and learn from a wildlife photography expert.听
Sherri Belfield, director of University Communications and Marketing, recommended Braxton.听
鈥淜aleyah is a dependable and reliable student who listens carefully and I knew that she would take advantage of this opportunity,鈥 she said.听听鈥淭his was an engaging way to begin building our partnership with Carolina Raptor Center.鈥澨
Braxton is thankful to have mentors on campus that encourage her to try new things.听
鈥淗aving people who support me at 星空无限传媒 is why I chose to stay here,鈥 she said. 鈥淜nowing someone is in your corner is a blessing,鈥 she continued.听
In the future, she hopes to work with the Carolina Raptor Center鈥檚 rehabilitation program and take photos of new raptors.听
