Student Spotlight – Bria Granville

Every month, the Western Kentucky University NPPA Chapter produces a “Student Spotlight” segment that focuses on recent work from a student. Photo stories, videos, personal projects, or even successful shoots are eligible for the Student Spotlight. If you have a current project you’d like to share, please email wkunppa@gmail.com.

Bria is a senior at Western Kentucky University studying photojournalism and sociology. This past Labor Day holiday, she and a diverse group of 20 college students from around the nation traveled to Hollywood, Florida in order to “Work for Food.” Granville spent the three-day weekend at the Coalition of Services and Charity homeless shelter, immersing herself within an unfamiliar culture. There, she used visual journalism, at times paired with collaborative text, to explore the lives of individuals who are dealing with homelessness, drug abuse and mental health issues. The material that the group produced became a newspaper, The Homeless Voice, which is being sold by residents of the shelter, in order to assists with maintaining the building.

While working diligently on little sleep in Florida, Bria was able to plan and conceive a personal portrait series. “Talking with these individuals had the biggest impact,” said Granville.

What happened when you first arrived at the facility?

Since we were only there for two days, it was jammed packed with activities. Saturday, we arrived and we scoped out the place. We ate dinner at the shelter. The dinner was, I think for a lot of people, the initial eye opening experience. This was real. We are in this unfamiliar place; it smells bad, and it’s dirty. It just wasn’t something many of us were used to, coming from such privileged backgrounds. For me, walking in, it was about what I expected so I wasn’t really taken back by it all.

With my personality, I am kind of shy. They just kind of threw us to the wolves and said, “Go find stories, go talk to people,” and I just sat back and looked at everything. The next day we had to get up super early to start working on ideas and finishing the paper. It had to be done by that night.

Reynolds Vincent has lived in the COSAC homeless shelter in Hollywood, FL for seven years. His only surviving family is his son whom he had not seen since he moved to Brooklyn. “I don’t know what I would do if I saw him again.” Vincent said.

What kinds of projects did you work on?

I teamed up with another girl and made a video asking people around Hollywood, Florida there opinions and thoughts on homelessness. We compiled that video to add their words, to contrast with what we saw in the shelter. Since I was working on a lot of other projects, I didn’t have a lot of time to work on the things I really wanted to do. So, I found a couple minutes to walk around and shoot a couple portraits of people. I think just talking to each individual was probably what made the biggest impact.

At 89 Virginia “Ma” Beechem holds the title of the oldest resident of the COSAC homeless shelter. For 10 years Beechem has stayed at COSAC and is cared for by two former caregivers who are also residents.

Tell us about the people in your portrait series.

Everyone in the shelter had stories to tell; a lot of them sad stories. You see people who could have come from anywhere. There were former CEO’s that once made tons of money that were at the shelter. It brings you down to reality.

For example, when I talked to Mr. Vincent, (pictured at top), he was very friendly. He talked about his love for drawing. He was doing doodles and sketches. He told me about his son and how he hadn’t seen him for a really long time. He doesn’t know where he is. He doesn’t have any other family.

The man sitting in the wheelchair (pictured below) went to Florida to treat his alcohol addiction. He thought he had done all the right things. He had gone to college to be an engineer, everything was great until he got a divorce. Everything kind of spiraled down and he started to drink heavily. He said that depression kind of ruined his life.

Richard M. Drewery moved to Florida from Detroit, MI in the hopes of joining the “Faith Farms” recovery program to treat his alcohol addiction. After being turned away for his age Drewery has lived in the COSAC homeless shelter. “There are no AA meetings here, no therapy. It’s a self help program, personally speaking that don’t work.” Drewery said.

How has your work evolved over the years?

I think that after allowing myself time to look at my work and appreciate it, I have definitely grown and changed from where I started. I’m not sure if it is where I want it to be, but that’s okay. I think that I’ve improved at finding stories. I like to think that stories are kind of my thing. I have found over the years that learning to understand people, culture and different things about society will help me with my work.

Paul Vinci has lived in the COSAC homeless shelter since 1999. “I’m just on security, the most I can afford is this place.”

Do you have any plans for post-graduation?

I would like to work with non-profits. I like working on stories that focus on individuals. Stories that can take a big issue and narrow it. I like getting to know people and understanding them better. If I can make anything that allows others to look at my work and understand an issue or the individuals then, I feel like I have done my job.

Rose Marie Yale found herself at the COSAC homeless shelter after her grandfather passed away leaving her with no place to live. “In the beginning I really liked it, but now I feel like it’s time for me to go so I can get my own place, a pool, a cat… but something keeps me here for some reason.” Yale said. Yale has lived in the shelter for five years.

When viewing you work, it’s obvious that you are great at capturing quiet moments. That is a feat that not everyone can accomplish. How would you describe your work?

If you want to say that people have a certain style, it always comes back to their personality. I am very timid, withdrawn and quiet. I think that I have always been the type of person that hones in on the small and moody things. I enjoy looking for those moments. I don’t like being in loud situations anyways.

Lynn Williams found herself at the COSAC homeless shelter after divorcing her husband. After 14 years she hasn’t lived anywhere else, and has no interest in staying anywhere else, since then. “You have to get used to people and there little changes, but for the most part I like it a lot.”

What advice would you have to beginning students?

If I were talking to anyone beginning their photojournalism journey, I would tell them to give themselves time to find what they are interested in and hone in on that. Don’t try and be like everyone else. Be inspired by other peoples work, but don’t pressure yourself into trying to achieve the same style. Find your own thing. Have confidence and stick to it.​