Notable Alumni

PHS graduate James Stone ‘23  is currently a student at UMass Amherst and a member of their media team.  He is tasked with taking pictures at various sporting events.  Stone started photography while at PHS and it helped him hone his skills. The Titan Times recently sat down with him for an interview.  

Q : What inspired you to pursue photography ?

A:  “ My aunt is a photographer, so she inspired me to pursue photography.  I first started taking photos my sophomore year as a hobby and it morphed into a passion of mine. "

Q: How did your experiences at PHS shape you as a photographer ?

A:  “ A big thing for me was Mr. Phillips giving me full access to all the sporting events. Being able to be right on top of the action was vital for my growth as a photographer. It also helped me become more versatile as I had the opportunity  to shoot just about every sport. Doing my senior project with Andy Illes also helped me enhance my photos.  

Q :  What do you think is the most important when starting a new venture? 

A: “ The most important thing is being open to learning new things and criticism . Be a sponge, try to soak up as much information as possible.” 

Q: What sport is the most exciting to photograph?

A:  "Definitely hockey, as a hockey guy myself , I feel like I can pick up on things other people may not . I also just find the sport overall the most exciting. “

Q: What advice do you have for upcoming photographers ?

A:  “Aside from being able to learn, it sounds simple but just take as many photos as possible. Trial and error is the best way to grow in this field.  It takes time but you need to find what works and what doesn’t. Do not get discouraged, it takes time.”