By Daniel Lopez
CCC Journalism Program
CAMDEN – Graduating students at the Camden County College Camden campus had their graduation photos taken on April 25.
Rose Roldan poses in the CCC Camden campus cafeteria after having her graduation photo taken. By Daniel Lopez, CCC Journalism Program
As soon as people walked into the Camden campus College Hall, they could hear laughter coming from the community room on the first floor. Students were laughing and enjoying the moment of having their picture taken for their graduation. For many students, having their graduation picture taken is just the same as receiving their diploma, as they have worked hard to complete their courses and may have taken longer than usual to conclude their time at CCC.
Photographer and owner of JMJ Photography John Jablonowski is the man responsible for the students’ laughter. He is based in West Deptford and has been taking graduation photos for students at CCC for 10 years. Jablonowski has worked for newspapers and takes many high school photographs. He enjoys taking graduation photos and it is noticeable as he jokes with the students. He stated he enjoys seeing “the joy in their faces.” As students walked in to get their photos taken, he began to joke and laugh with them, asking them to show him their “cute face.” Jablonowski stated even though he likes to joke and laugh, the main focus is the photo and it is better to capture a real smile. He believes students cherish their graduation photos just as much as their diplomas.
Rose Roldan was Jablonowski’s first subject of the afternoon and as soon as she walked into the community room, the laughs began. Roldan will be graduating from the criminal justice program. She has attended CCC for three and a half years and has long awaited her graduation. She admitted she felt nervous and tense when she walked in to take her photo but Jablonowski helped her feel relaxed. Roldan stated Jablonowski was “interactive and made me feel comfortable.” Roldan enjoyed getting her photo taken because she did not feel rushed by Jablonowski and said she is “super excited” for her graduation. She stated this is a major accomplishment in her life especially because she works and is a mother of three. She said she will appreciate her graduation photo because it will help her remember all the hard work.