The Boothbay Region Art Foundation awarded its first student scholarship on May 14 to Elena Laustsen. The Camden Hills Regional High School senior is no stranger to the BRAF trustees and those members involved in the Maine Photography Show.

Laustsen has entered the MPS all four of her high school years, and has won a student award three times, including this year. Laustsen's image entitled “Serenity,” was awarded first place honors in the student category by juror Tillman Crane.

BRAF President Sally Smith and trustee and photography show coordinator Bruce Burnham presented Laustsen with a scholarship check for $750.

“I'm so happy. I appreciate it,” said Laustsen, who will be attending the Savannah School of Art & Design in the fall. “Thank you so much.”

Laustsen learned of her selection for the scholarship just before the MPS this year.

Burnham announced the young photography buff as the scholarship recipient during the show awards ceremony.

“We'd been anxious to award a scholarship to a graduating senior with plans to continue their education in photography and/or the visual arts for some time,” Burnham said. “Elena is very deserving.”

Laustsen picked up her first camera while she was in middle school — and something clicked. That something was much more than the shutter of the Nikon SLR she eventually got; it was the excitement she felt looking for the shot.

But, there isn't one subject she is drawn to above another.

“I take pictures of what catches my eye,” Laustsen said. “Especially when I'm traveling. I always have my camera with me. It's exciting — trying to get the right composition so others can see what drew me to a subject. It’s also fun to bring photos in to show others, like your art teacher, to hear what they have to say.”

The only photography class she has taken, to date, was in her sophomore year. During that time she learned a great deal about composition. The rest, she says, has been “all trial and error.”

Prior to that class, Laustsen said she really got into Photoshop, and creating levitation shots of herself.

“I did one for the (MPS) show once called ‘Gulliver's Travel’ of me sitting tied up in a chair reading a book with little people crawling all over me,” Laustsen said.

And all of those “little people,” were mini Laustsens.

“There are so many programs out there, photography can be mixed media today ... you can even draw into photos,” said Laustsen.

Despite all of the programs, she said “an eye for photography is still needed” for the really great shots.

“You can take a photo that's just so-so, a point and shoot, you can edit it and it can look interesting. But, if you've studied photography and really learned about composition and what's tasteful to the eye, it's a fuller experience,” Laustsen said.

In addition to her first Nikon, Laustsen uses an Olympus M10 and a second Nikon. Yes, she enjoys shooting with film sometimes, and while she has been in a dark room a few times, she sends her film out to be developed.

“You can do things to the film before you use it for special effects, like opening your camera just the right way after the film is inside, to create light leaks,” Laustsen explained. “There's a lot you can learn by searching online.

Laustsen is very busy these days finishing up her senior year and preparing for college. She will be studying illustration in Savannah and minoring in photography.

“I love to draw too. I've heard there are 40 different careers you can go into with illustration,” Elena said. “My neighbor is a scientific illustrator; that sounds pretty interesting.

“I'm really excited about going to college,” said Laustsen. “I'm ready.”

Check out some of Laustsen's photos at www.flickr.com/photos/59186838@N05.