Photojournalist Jessica Hume-Pantuso utilizes photography and journalism skills from her time at the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts to educate readers in the Corvallis, Albany, and surrounding communities
Jessica Hume-Pantuso
By Jessica Florescu, CLA Student Writer - March 1, 2024
As a photojournalist for the Corvallis Gazette Times and Albany Democrat-Herald, Jessica Hume-Pantuso, ‘22, finds fulfillment and joy in the work that she does.
“My goal is to use photography to help and support others,” said Hume-Pantuso. “The most rewarding part are the messages I get from people that tell me they saw my photos in the paper.” Hume-Pantuso graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography from the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts (SVPDA), but she started developing her love for photography at a young age. She was always very observant, so being behind a camera allowed her to explore the world around her.
However, what she actually enjoys most about photography is the meaningful connections that she is able to make with others through her storytelling abilities.
“I find that through my photography,” Hume-Pantuso explained. “I’m able to connect with people on a basic level, which I feel is uncommon for most careers.”
Hume-Pantuso’s academic career in photography started in North Texas, when she graduated from Tarrant County College in 2013. Hume-Pantuso then worked in a variety of photography-related capacities, including as a product photographer and photo technician. After moving to Corvallis in 2020 and enrolling in the BFA program, she found a welcoming art and photography community within SVPDA.
“Rather than just helping you complete a degree,” said Hume-Pantuso. “CLA professors truly value teaching students the best ways to express themselves. They care about helping you become an artist and anyone who puts in the time will be welcomed with open arms.”
She was personally able to find support within her CLA community while she was going through a family hardship. After Hume-Pantuso’s mom passed away in April 2021, she used school and photography as her fuel to keep going. “It was an amazing experience to have this whole community that supported me and allowed me to grieve, but also learn and not feel like it was wasted time.” Finding a supportive and kind community can be something that is very difficult, so it was such a relief for Hume-Pantuso to be able to find comfort in the midst of her grief.
Hume-Pantuso has taken photos and conducted interviews for many significant causes, but she feels her most inspiring work is spotlighting unhoused individuals. She has gained new perspectives on this growing crisis, by holding meaningful conversations with residents of Oregon communities who are unhoused. Her deep empathy and compassion for individuals who are unhoused shines through in her photography.
“Through my photography and storytelling,” explained Hume-Pantuso. “I believe I have the ability to help educate others about situational awareness and create empathy for others with different experiences. I try to see a person as a person before anything else and put them at ease when I’m taking their photo. That’s something I came away with from my time as part of the photography program.”
Students within the SVPDA BFA photography and digital studio programs are exposed to a variety of classes to challenge themselves and build their skills throughout their four years at OSU. A sample of classes included in the curriculum are darkroom photography, digital imaging, and history of photography. Associate Professor of Art Julia Bradshaw co-leads the program and teaches all levels of photography, as well as the history of photography and video art classes. Bradshaw was also one of Hume-Pantuso’s instructors and mentors.
“My first impression of Jess,” said Bradshaw, “ demonstrated that she was most resilient; challenging herself to work on a photography series outside her comfort zone. Once on-campus, she truly embraced her time at OSU working prolifically and striving to make something new and meaningful with her artwork. Her work was occasionally poignant, inspiring empathy or personal recognition by the viewer, but at the same time her work was steeped in the appropriate theory or her knowledge of photographic history. Since graduation, Jess continues to make art and build an arts community in and around Corvallis, which is particularly gratifying and inspirational to see.
Within SVPDA, there are many programs and opportunities for students to advance their scholarship and explore interest areas. When asked about life lessons she had learned during her time at OSU, Hume-Pantuso commented, “I would honestly say to current students to take advantage of resources and people you have around you and learn the most you can about everything you can. It’s hard to have the time to make use of everything but do your best.”