Hagemann to lead photowalk

SANDPOINT — Receiving her first camera as a Christmas present at the age of 9, Rebecca Hagemann began dabbling in photography from a young age.

That first camera was an Instamatic, but she eventually upgraded to a Canon when she was 15 and became involved with the school yearbook, which she described with a laugh as "kind of cliche." Despite her love for photography, however, she couldn't make any money at it. So Hagemann joined the military as an aircraft mechanic and an officer.

"I took pictures along the way, sort of, but I was always stationed in places where you had to send your film away to get it developed," Hagemann said. "Then when digital came out, that's when I got started again. And then it became an obsession."

Hagemann said she continues to do photography as a hobby, and received her degree in photographic technologies from Pensacola State College in 2014. At one point, when she was teaching herself about Photoshop, Hagemann said she discovered an author named Scott Kelby. After taking part in five Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk events since 2009, she was chosen this year to lead a group of photographers on a walk through Sandpoint.

The 11th annual photowalk will happen simultaneously in thousands of cities around the world on Oct. 6. Dubbed the "world's largest global and social photography event," the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk has grown "immensely" in size and popularity since 2007, according to a statement by photowalk officials. Last year, more than 24,000 photographers from all walks of life and skill level converged to explore their corners of the world through photography and social community.

Photowalks are created by the walk leaders all over the world, as Hagemann will do in Sandpoint. Walkers meet up at a pre-designated location to spend a few hours socializing, capturing images, and sharing with like-minded people.

Hagemann said while she has shot in Sandpoint several times, each time is different. And one of the "fun" things, she said, is to see it through other people's lenses, because sometimes they see things she never noticed before.

"Or they photograph the exact same thing you did, but in a different way," she said.

In addition to the event, photo walkers will be able to upload their favorite picture to a photowalk contest for a chance to win prizes like a DSLR camera, gift cards, apps, and camera bags. A grand prize winner will be announced as well, and 10 finalists will be selected by Scott Kelby himself.

Every year, photo walkers are encouraged to help support the initiative to “Walk with a Purpose” by donating to the Springs of Hope Orphanage in Kenya, though it is not a requirement for participation in the event. The orphanage is an organization that feeds, houses, educates, and empowers young orphans so that they can grow up to not just survive, but also to succeed, according to the GoFundMe page. Donations can be made at bit.ly/2MBktfS.

The event is free, but pre-registration is required. To register, go to worldwidephotowalk.com, locate your city, and complete the free sign up form. Participants can also connect socially before, during and after the event using the hashtag #WWPW2018 on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Sandpoint walk will begin at 8:45 a.m. Oct. 6 at Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters, 524 Church St., and will end at MickDuff’s Beer Hall, 220 Cedar St., around 11 a.m. Hagemann detailed the walk route, as well as other information, under the "updates" tab at bit.ly/2Pe76iB.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.