Photo family — Following in her (digital) footsteps

Upcoming Newcastle High School junior Owen Cummings heard his calling and followed it when he picked up photography this year, and immediately began taking major strides since starting pursuit of his craft. 

The News Letter Journal has encouraged him to expand his experience and skill as he started an internship with the paper this year. He has had the opportunity to work under Walter Sprague, an award-winning photographer and videographer at the NLJ. According to Cummings, Sprague has helped him with the basics, since he is mainly self-taught. 

“The experience of actually doing it has shown me that this is really what I want to go into,” Cummings said.

Another source of aid in his journey has been his grandmother Robin Riesland. Riesland started capturing images on film when film photography was popular and said she quit when things went digital. 

Riesland and Cummings are not the only family members who have dipped their toes into the photography world. Cummings’ mom and Riesland’s daughter, Katie Cummings, was fully immersed in the art of photography before she died in 2012, and Riesland picked up the hobby again after the death of her daughter. 

“It gave me the opportunity to be close to her,” she said. “It was what she loved doing.” 

Cummings also attributed some of his inspiration to his mother’s work, and he even plans to attend the same photography center that she did post-graduation. Powell, Wyoming, is home to the second-best photography center in the state. 

Cummings has grown up hearing stories of his mom and the impact that her work had. He said that the first time he saw her work he fell in love with it, and ultimately it inspired him to decide that photography was the path he was going to take. 

“Seeing her work was a really big pivotal point for me,” he said. 

His mom worked with all different types of subject matter, ranging from weddings to newborns, but Cumming’s favorite pieces of her work, by far, are her scenery photos, he said. 

He specifically recalled a photo of the Colosseum that she took in Rome and a collection of photos of castles during her time in Germany. 

Cummings has experimented with scenery photos, as well as sports photography, during his time as an intern at the NLJ. He is excited to continue to gather experience until he leaves for college, specifically on the editing side and learning more about cameras in general.

“I want to continue to work at the NLJ and expand my horizons,” he said. 

Cummings claimed he has always been a creative person, and photography has been a good outlet for him. 

“I just love it,” he said. “It is my spark.” 

Cummings’ fondness for photography and his creativity have not gone unnoticed. Family friend and freshman English teacher, Jessica Troftgruben, has witnessed the role photography plays in his life. According to Troftgruben, he has been taking photos for fun for some time, but his internship at the NLJ is when “he really took a stride.”

She said that Sprague has shown an interest in Cummings and has a desire for him to do more. 

“It has given him a sense of direction,” she said. “The arts have always played something really important in his life.” 

Troftgruben also realizes that Cummings has a natural talent for the art, and she mentioned the role his mother has played in his inspiration. 

“His mom was such an amazing photographer,” she said. “It is great for him to be able to connect to something she was really good at.” 

Cummings said that he never really learned about photography, and it was in a sense “passed down” to him. With his grandpa, grandma and mother all having a place in the business, it was natural for him to pick it up. 

He said that starting his craft in a small-town community has taken a lot of the pressure off being fresh in the field. According to Troftgruben, this has allowed Cummings to gain confidence because people see his roots.

“I have heard a lot of people say I have an eye for photography,” Cummings said. 

Troftgruben mentioned that everyone in the community has been kind and supportive while he is out shooting. 

Riesland has worked to teach Cummings about his mom, a Newcastle native and NHS graduate like Riesland, and her work as a photographer. 

“I think it is special for both of us,” Riesland said. 

According to Riesland, Katie always said that ”there is beauty in everything, you just have to open your eyes to it.” 

Riesland said that she too loves looking at life through the lens of a camera

She also mentioned that Cummings' younger sister Riese has also started to get into photography. 

“It is a family affair that their mom Katie has entrusted us with,” Riesland said. “It is something to keep her legacy going.”

Cummings’ special knack for the art has taken off in the past year, and he and his supporters look forward to where his talents will take him. 

“I think Owen sees the beauty in everything too,” Riesland said.