Best of the Semester

Best of the Semester By Catherine Mertz

A collection of my best images from COMM215 fall semester of 2020.

Rule of Thirds

In Flight

Josh spends most of the morning Sunday September 27, 2020 flying at the Rail Yard Skate Park in Great Falls, Montana. He skates with his friends regularly at the park. (Photo by: Catherine Mertz)

Layering

Side Lines

Two members of the Great Falls Fire Sprinklers flag football team sit on the sidelines Saturday September 26, 2020 in Great Falls, Montana. The boys were eagerly waiting to get back into the game. (Photo by: Catherine Mertz)

Window Light Portrait

WINDOW SILL and Drawn

Mariah Haman modeling at Billings Open Studio, a 6,000 sq.ft photography studio space in Billings, Montana on Wednesday September 30, 2020. While Mariah is home from Los Angeles due to the pandemic, she continues to work with local photographers to build her portfolio. (Photo by Catherine Mertz)

Faceless Portrait

Sitting in the Sun

Nikala sits in the sun on an empty playground in Great Falls, Montana on Sunday October 11, 2020. One of her favorite things to do is play at the park, it becomes a little different when you have the whole place to yourself. (Photo by: Catherine Mertz)

Environmental Portrait

Improvements

Lori Riphenburg-Arps, owner of Alterations by Lori, works on an array of different projects through her day on Wednesday October 7, 2020. Here, Lori is working to make a dress more age appropriate for a client. (Photo by Catherine Mertz)

Sports

On to State

Fort Benton Longhorn Football players Morgan Axtman (23), William Ullery (12), Hayden Diekhans (21) and Jace Thompson (20) surround Hayden Axtman (37) Saturday November 7, 2020 on the Longhorn Football field in Fort Benton, Montana. The players prep for a team photo here after their win against the Joliet J-hawks which earned them the 2020-2021 8-player Northern Division title. (Photo by: Catherine Mertz)

Video

End of the World Featuring Art Taft

Art Taft describes what he would do if the world was ending while shopping the local furniture store. (Video by: Catherine Mertz)

Photo Story

For the Love of Animals

It is not often that we get to see just how much love is put into caring for the animals that call an adoption center home. The Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls Montana gave me the opportunity to follow around their employees and volunteers and capture the moments that help to encompass the emotion that sparks between animals and their care takers while residing at the center.

Being Returned

Vet Tech Josey Quinn administers de-wormer to Bumble on Saturday November 14, 2020 at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana. Bumble had been returned to the center because his adoptive home did not work out as planned, and therefore went through medical before being placed in a condo. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Embrace

Vet Tech Josie Quinn checks on Dillion in the Incoming Cats room at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center on Saturday November 14, 2020 in Great Falls, Montana. Dillion hugs everyone and it is a welcome greeting for both Josie and Dillion. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Warmth

Elli Kelley, Volunteer Coordinator at the Maclean Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana, holds Harley who was being a model on Friday November 13, 2020. He was wearing a Cat Hat made by a local teenager who raises funds for the center. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Trust

Elli Kelley, Volunteer Coordinator at the Maclean Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana, patiently waits for Ziggy to come out from behind her chair on Thursday November 5, 2020. Animals can be cautious especially when they are meeting new people, Ziggy had found his safe spot with Elli, who he knows well during a volunteer training. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Golden Touch

Volunteer Coordinator Elli Kelley reaches out to Jamie an orange long haired cat while showing Lizzy Carnes the ropes in the Cat Community on Thursday November 5, 2020. The Cat Communities at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana give cats a place to socialize if they are able. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Soft Connection

Lizzy Carnes, a newly trained volunteer at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana makes a connection with Susan on Thursday November 5, 2020. Susan is a stray kitten who is getting used to here new environment, and being pet is her new favorite thing. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Together Time

Kaya a resident at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana is so excited to be on her walk with Animal Care Specialist Tonya Ross on Friday November 6, 2020. Kaya loves attention and works her angles to get as many pets a possible. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Treats

Elli Kelley, Volunteer Coordinator at the Maclean Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana, asks Samwise the puppy to sit for a treat on Thursday November 5, 2020. Samwise was calming down after a fun game of catch, he received his treat for being such a good boy. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Comfort

Abby Chasteen gives Cooper a head rub before returning him to his kennel at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana on Friday November 6, 2020. The pair had just completed their morning walk and Cooper was not quite ready to leave Abby. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Attention

Tonya Ross prepares to take Cypress for his morning walk at the Maclean-Cameron Animal Adoption Center in Great Falls, Montana on Friday November 6, 2020. Tonya takes the precaution of calling ahead with the walkie-talkie to ensure the coast is clear for Cypress. (Photo Credit: Catherine Mertz)

Photographer information

Catherine Mertz

basxphotography@gmail.com

Schooling:

Pennsylvania State University - World Campus : Bachelors in Digital Media Media Design - 2024

Pennsylvania State University - Berks Campus: Associates in Liberal Arts 2003

Work:

Owner/Operator of bas[X] Photography www.basxphotography.com

Appreciate