Local photographer teaching kids his craft BY LEE PULASKI — LAKE POWELL CHRONICLE Local resident LeRoy DeJolie has been getting paid for his photography skills for more than 28 years. Now he’s giving something back, passing on his skills to students on the reservation through a program called “My World.” Photo by Lee Pulaski/Lake Powell Chronicle Arizona Highways photographer LeRoy DeJolie, a LeChee resident, explains some basic photography techniques to a small group of students at the LeChee VoTech building on Oct. 8 as a film crew from “The Today Show” documents the workshop. Among the students taking copious notes are (from left) Tara DeJolie, Rachel Tsosie, Brandon Willard, and Shi-Fawn Willard. DeJolie’s efforts have earned him national attention, as NBC’s “The Today Show” came to LeChee over the weekend to do a feature on the Arizona Highways photographer, as well as one of his more talented students: Brandon Willard, a fourth-grade student at Lake View Elementary School. DeJolie tries to focus his attention on disadvantaged Native American children through his workshops. “The ‘My World’ program began about two-and-a-half years ago,” DeJolie said during a break in a workshop he held at the LeChee VoTech Building on Oct. 8. “I’ve taught classes at Fort Defiance; Shiprock, N.M.; Chinle, Ariz; Tonalea, Ariz.; and most recently, down in Phoenix. Quite surprisingly, there’s more Navajos nowadays living in the inner cities than they are out here on the reservation.” DeJolie broke down the workshop to basic concepts. He asked the students in attendance what five factors photographers need to take into consideration when taking a picture. He explained how to compose a picture and frame it so you get the perfect shot. He told students how to set the aperture and showed them how to load film. On a table by DeJolie sat several cameras, all of them with manual settings. DeJolie told the students that, while digital cameras make taking pictures easier, they also take all the fun out of taking quality photographs. DeJolie showed the students his 1958 box camera; he is the second owner. He explained how the camera takes photographs. DeJolie noted that the lens of the camera shows subjects upside-down and backwards. Using diagrams, he explained how the human brain processes images seen through eyes in a similar fashion. The photographer surmised that “The Today Show” took notice of him after a reporter from the Associated Press did a story on some of his photos that were on display at an Indian market in Albuquerque, N.M. He said that the woman noted that his work was “quite unusual.” DeJolie’s photos are usually developed on large print media. “She said, ‘You don’t mind if I stick anything on the AP wire?’” DeJolie said. “Well, lo and behold, she stuck it on the AP wire and it ran to over 60 major newspapers all across the country.” The AP story caught the eye of NBC producer John O’Rourke, who wanted to do a piece on DeJolie. DeJolie said he has been corresponding with O’Rourke over the phone for about a month, and he finally met the newsman face to face last weekend. “He was pleased to hear about the whole program going on,” DeJolie said. Besides the workshop, the morning show also spoke with DeJolie about his experience taking photographs for Arizona Highways and other prestigious magazines, as well as his new book, “Navajoland: A Native Son Shares His Legacy.” DeJolie has 60 magazine covers to his credit. Teaching students about photography is an easy enough task in the Grand Circle region, DeJolie said. “We’re right here in Photographer Haven,” he said. “It’s not so good in the daytime, when everything is washed out, but that early-morning light and that evening light is wonderful.” DeJolie has worked for Salt River Project for almost 30 years, and the photographer plans to retire soon to focus on his volunteer work with underprivileged children. “For the longest time, Native Americans have always been out in front of the camera. The various photographers over the years have put Native Americans in front of the camera,” he said. “That trend is changing, and now we’re getting more Native photographers on the back side of the camera. The result of my particular movement, ‘My World,’ that trend is changing. Given a little more time and a little more study, we’ll be coming out with some top-notch photographers.” DeJolie’s only regret is that he can’t be 100 places at once, offering more students the chance to learn what he has learned. Everything that is part of “My World” is donated, including numerous cameras and equipment from Fuji Film. “It makes things a lot easier,” DeJolie said of the donations. “We’re a non-profit. I don’t make a dime out of this.” DeJolie said that he hopes that, out of all the students he works with, some will take what they have learned to the next level. He noted that one of his first graduates, Rhonda Todachee of Grants, N.M., is now running her own photography business using the skills from “My World.” “I’m really proud of her. She runs a very successful photography business,” DeJolie said. “Of course, with any photography project, you go through a lot of trial and error, and that’s what she’s experiencing now. She’ll eventually come out with some really high-caliber photography and be able to submit work for major magazines. “There’s a true saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. That’s the reason why I’m out here directing all my efforts toward these young kids,” he said. “Eventually, you’re going to snag someone, to capture that young mind, light that spark.” No previous experience is necessary to take the class. DeJolie went through the basics of photography in less than 90 minutes during Saturday’s workshop. Interested children don’t even need to own a camera. “They don’t have to come with anything; they just show up,” DeJolie said. The LeChee resident noted that his program is unique among some of the other youth programs offered in, around or by the Navajo Nation. “I can’t think of another program in the history of the Navajo Nation such as this here,” DeJolie said with pride. “All in all, it’s a way for me to give back. What better way to give back to any community than to give back to the less fortunate and the underprivileged? I don’t expect anything in exchange. I do it free of charge.” DeJolie noted that projects like “My World” are also taking place in the South, in areas that were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. He said that his program has caused an onslaught of e-mails and phone calls asking him to do his program. DeJolie said that he is willing to meet interested people and teach them, whether it’s for one or for a dozen. “The numbers don’t matter; it’s unimportant,” he said. “My World” definitely isn’t the best-kept secret in the world. People have already heard that DeJolie is going to be on “The Today Show” and have been asking when it will be. “I get tons and tons of e-mail at the house, asking ‘When’s your program going to be on?’” he said. At the end of the year, students who participate in the “My World” program will have a chance to enter a contest in Phoenix to see whose photos can earn top honors. Other professional photographers will be on hand to judge the students’ entries, DeJolie said. Send us your comments about this article.