As we count down to Commencement, we’re spotlighting the Class of 2025—sharing stories that go beyond the cap & gown and reflect the heart, hustle, and hope of our graduating Gulls. Learn more about Antoni Reyes ’25.
During her time at Endicott, photography major Ashley Allen ’25 was determined not to let a single opportunity to build her portfolio pass her by.
And as her vast collection of photos can attest to—she put in the work.
The chance to begin building her future in photography was exactly what drew Allen to the College. While she wanted to pursue a creative field, developing her artistic skills wasn’t her only priority in finding her dream school.
“In most photography programs, you have to take classes in many different disciplines, even if they’re unrelated to the type of art you want to do,” Allen explained. “At Endicott, I got to take courses in business and communications instead of painting and drawing. So, it’s really a bachelor of science degree, not a BFA.”
Even better, Endicott’s location checked all the boxes. Originally from the Portland, Maine, area, Allen wanted a New England school that kept her close to home. Her decision was sealed when she received the prestigious Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship from the Maine Community Foundation, awarded annually to Maine’s most promising journalism students. Allen earned the scholarship all four years at Endicott, including an impressive $30,000 award in her senior year alone.
Once on campus, Allen prioritized using the College’s professional resources, especially those offered by the School of Visual & Performing Arts, which she describes as “impeccable.”
For her first-year internship, Allen joined the reelection campaign of Maine Governor Janet Mills, photographing everyday life on the campaign trail. Her work ran the gamut from capturing fundraisers and speeches to even visiting Mills at her home to record testimonials.
At just 19 years old, “I was basically the head photographer for a gubernatorial campaign,” Allen said.
“We traveled all over the state. There’s one day that still stands out to me. We went to a parade in Madawaska, on the border of Maine and Canada. Being on the northern border, it’s a whole different culture than the one I grew up in, even though it’s the same state.”
She continued: “It was an amazing opportunity to experience that with Governor Mills. It was my proud moment when she was reelected in the fall.”
Next up was an internship at The Kennebec Journal, the state’s longest-running newspaper at 200 years old. As a staff photojournalist, Allen learned the ins and outs of daily news reporting—skills she first developed as the editor-in-chief of The Endicott Observer, the College’s own student newspaper.
At the newspaper, Allen took snapshots that were a mix of everyday life and real-time news reporting.
“One day, I would be going to farmer’s markets and talking to people on the streets,” she said. “The next day, I would photograph representatives at the Maine State House as they voted on something.”
During her senior year, Allen delved into another niche in her field: corporate photography. She landed a role with a local studio, where she assisted with props and equipment for client shoots and marketing activities.
“It’s a completely different mindset than photojournalism or fine art photography—it taught me much about running a business and being your own ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É,” she said. “From my experience, I think it’s so important for students to get well-rounded internships and try out various things in their major. College is the time to experiment. Take advantage of the opportunity.”
After three years of honing her craft professionally, Allen’s senior year had a new theme: exploration.
Through the College’s study abroad program—a cornerstone of the Endicott Experiential Edge, which gives Gulls transformative learning opportunities at home and around the globe—Allen traveled to Kenya for nine days. She immersed herself in local schools, museums, and markets and capped off her experience with an unforgettable safari, fulfilling one of her lifelong dreams.
“Going away to study abroad for three months would be too much for me, so when I found out about this trip, I instantly decided to sign up,” she said. “I was like, ‘When will I get to go to Africa again?’ Looking back, I can’t believe I got to do that.”
For her senior capstone, Allen has used photography to bring a new perspective to more familiar surroundings.
“I’m contrasting two types of places,” she explained. “On one hand, we have the pristine New England we all know, with beautiful lighthouses and beaches. But we also have places polluted with bad chemicals in the soil.”
She continued: “I’m photographing them to compare the landscape we’re comfortable with versus the one we don’t really want to acknowledge. But actually, they’re both reality.”
After graduation, Allen will return to Maine and begin a marketing internship at Goodwill Northern New England.
“I’m so excited to be working with Goodwill,” she said. “Internships teach you so much about the real world and help you figure out what will make you happy. Endicott made me feel comfortable with that.”