PHOTOGRAPHY
Linda Loughran 
Excerpted from Central Catholic Quarterly Magazine - Fall 2006
Photography teacher, Linda Loughran, is an important member of the Fine Arts team. Like the entire staff, Linda promotes the need to understand the basic principles of design before embarking upon developing medium-specific skills. She continues to teach students to learn film processing and developing as a building block toward becoming a better digital artist.
We sat down with Linda Loughran for a few questions about her own experience as an artist and how she applies this to the craft of teaching.
Q: When did you discover that you wanted to be an artist?
Loughran: Like many kids, I loved to draw and look at pictures. I suspect, unlike other kids, I took it to a different level.
In college I studied art. I painted, sketched, and took photographs. My passion for art led to a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University. I had a particular interest in photography and went on to earn my Master of Fine Arts in that discipline.
Q: Describe your own artistic career.
Loughran: I have had the pleasure of doing what I love in my work. I served as a photographer for a historical museum and later as House Photographer for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. My first experience of teaching was actually at VCU in an adult photography class. Central Catholic was my first teaching role and I really enjoy working with the students where I can share my own experience and continue to learn about a medium I love.
Currently I am learning as much as I can about digital photography to expand my own horizons and help students in the classroom. Like any artist, I am constantly taking pictures and working toward a show of my own work.
Q: What are the highlights of your teaching experience at Central Catholic?
Loughran: I always enjoy the students’ amazement when they develop their first roll of film and print their first image. All types of students are drawn to the visual arts, especially photography. 
Students who think they have no artistic talent take photography and discover that they do have an artist within. And students who are artists take photography because they want to try out the medium. I think everyone can find enjoyment and a connection on some level.
It is always a joy to get a “thank you” note from students saying they enjoyed a class. Of course, it would be better to get a picture postcard of their original work!
Q: Describe a time when a student inspired you as a teacher, an artist, or both:
Loughran: Students inspire me all the time. There have been some very talented students come through this school and I try to learn as much as I can from them. I am always amazed at their ability to observe and see because we often think they are not paying attention.
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