As ghosts, ghouls, and goblins take over Battle Creek this Halloween season, Kellogg Community College’s visual arts students are preparing for their own kind of magic, behind the camera. On Thursday, October 30, KCC will host a community photography event from 6 to 9 p.m., transforming a campus space into a professional studio where students will apply months of training to capture portraits filled with seasonal creativity and community warmth.
“They’re not just practicing skills, they’re applying the occupational and creative techniques they’ve been developing in the classroom in an independent, community-facing environment,” said Heather Stratton, faculty advisor for KCC’s visual arts program. “This fosters both confidence and problem-solving skills outside of the traditional academic setting.”
For Dustin Bailey, a photography student and member of the KCC Art League, the event is a chance to combine artistry with service. “It’s a great practice for working with real clients,” Bailey said. “You learn to adapt quickly, lighting changes, kids move around, families have different expectations, but that’s all part of becoming a professional.”
Landon Wyman, Vice President of the KCC Art League, echoed that sentiment and emphasized the community connection. “We talked about doing something similar to what KCC’s dental students do, offering a service that gives back to the community,” he said. “I like that this event lets us use our skills to make something meaningful for families while building our own experiences.”
In addition to offering affordable portraits to local families, the event also serves as a fundraiser for the KCC Art League. Each photo session carries a $5 fee, with all proceeds supporting the group’s upcoming trip to Chicago, where students will visit art museums, studios, and galleries to deepen their professional experiences.
Students across KCC’s photography, fine arts, and graphic design programs have been working together to prepare themed backdrops, signage, and studio layouts, of course, with a touch of fall and Halloween inspiration. “All three of KCC’s visual arts programs support this event,” Stratton said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck collaboration.”
While the project gives students valuable hands-on experience, it also offers families a chance to celebrate the season together. “Studio portraits really are a luxury, but I believe it is something every family deserves,” Heather added. “Through this event, our students are not only building portfolios, they’re helping families preserve important memories. It’s a powerful, mutually beneficial exchange.”
As KCC’s photography students make their final adjustments before Thursday’s event, the excitement around campus is as bright as the studio lights they’ll be setting up. For them, the Community Photography event is more than just a class project; it’s a chance to connect artistry with service and to use their education in a way that directly benefits others.
Faculty see it as a model for what hands-on learning should be. Students see it as proof that what they’re learning has real-world weight. And for the families that will walk away with a professional portrait, and perhaps a few Halloween smiles, it’s a reminder of how community and creativity can come together in one frame.
The Community Photography event will take place on Thursday, October 30, from 6 to 9 p.m., in the Davidson Art and Photography Wing, Room 216 at Kellogg Community College, 450 North Ave, Battle Creek.
