SMU student Gigi Samuel walks across the boulevard bundled in layers during a sudden November temperature drop on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2025, outside Dallas Hall in Dallas. The photo was taken to document shifting fall weather conditions on campus. (Photo by Johnny Crowley) Trying to take this photo outside of Dallas Hall wasn’t nearly as simple as it looked. The assignment was to capture weather—to make the temperature visible —which is something that honestly sounds easier than

A Highland Park home displays subtle Halloween decorations beneath strong morning light on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Dallas. The photo was taken for a photojournalism assignment examining seasonal décor and natural lighting challenges. (Photo by Johnny Crowley) When I took this picture of the Highland Park Halloween house, I thought I had something good — a clean subject, nice seasonal decorations, a quiet fall atmosphere. But looking at it now, I see more of what I missed  

A home at 3711 Beverly Drive glows with Christmas lights and wreaths on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Dallas. The photo was taken for an SMU TV holiday feature, highlighting the house’s symmetrical décor and nighttime illumination. (Photo by Johnny Crowley) Taking this photo of the Christmas-decorated house wasn’t just for fun—I was doing it for SMU TV, which made the experience feel more real and professional. It wasn’t just me messing around with a camera anymore. I knew this sh

When I was taking pictures of us deep frying a turkey on Thanksgiving, I honestly didn’t think it would turn into anything other then a fun little assignment. I figured I’d just snap some shots and be done, nothing too deep about it. But after looking back at the photos, it kind of made me realize where I’m good and where I kinda messed up. It showed me how I think behind a camera, what I notice, and what I just overlook without even meaning too. I guess I learned more than I

An SMU student goes up for a layup on the outdoor basketball court behind the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. The photo was taken for a composition assignment, using natural light to emphasize motion and frame the fraternity pavilion and outdoor furniture in the background. (Photo by Johnny Crowley) I didn’t realizhow hard it would be to freeze a moment until I actually tried to take a stop-action photo. In my head, I thought you just cl

Boxing coach Angel  stands inside the Self-Made Training Facility, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, at 5 p.m., in the Design District of Dallas, Texas. The photo was taken for a rule-of-thirds photography project, capturing Coach Angel slightly off-center with a clean foreground and background to emphasize composition and focus. (Photo by Johnny Crowley) I shot my boxing coach, Coach Angel, at the Self-Made Training Facility in the Design District of Dallas for this photo project. I s

SMU student Quinn Kilroy sits at the breakfast table in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2025, at 7:30 a.m., in Dallas,...

SMU sophomore Tyler Barnett scrolls through his phone on a leather couch inside the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2025, in...

SMU student Drew Canto stands in front of his car outside the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2025, at noon, in Dallas,...

Immediately, I began planning around taking this photo of me training for my boxing fights. I needed something that would reflect my...