In a world that often feels fast paced and loud, there is something powerful about slowing down and appreciating life’s quieter, simpler moments. Watching the sun dip below the horizon, feeling the stillness of the water, and allowing time to pause, even briefly.
Grant Jones captured that feeling in his recent photograph, a serene landscape image that has earned the Milford High School senior regional recognition.
Jones’ photograph was selected for display in the UC Blue Ash Regional High School Photography Exhibition, a juried show that received submissions from 429 students and more than 1,600 photographs, with just 65 images chosen for exhibition.
The image was taken during a summer family trip to Lake Michigan in South Haven. As the sun set over the beach, Jones noticed a paddle boarder drifting across the water, perfectly aligned with the fading light.
“I had just started getting serious about photography and decided to bring my camera with me,” Jones said. “We went down to the beach to watch the sunset, and the paddle boarder moved right into the frame. The timing and the light made it feel special.”
Jones learned about the competition through an announcement in Mr. Luessen's class and decided to submit five photos, most of which focused on sports photography. His lone landscape image ultimately stood out.
“I honestly did not know what to expect,” Jones said. “A few weeks went by, and I kind of pushed it to the back of my mind. When I opened the email and saw that my photo was selected, I was shocked.”
Jones later attended the opening of the exhibition with his father, where his work was professionally printed and displayed alongside other selected photographs at the UC Blue Ash Art Gallery.
Jones’ passion for photography began last year after enrolling in a Photo I class. Since then, his interest has grown into a creative pursuit that includes photography, videography, and graphic design. He frequently brings his camera to school events and athletic competitions, continuing to build his skills and portfolio.
A graduating senior, Jones plans to continue photography in college and hopes to pursue a future in sports media at the collegiate or professional level.
“This experience really showed me that I want to keep doing this,” Jones said. “Being able to see my work displayed like that was a really cool moment.”