Overview

I photographed two years of PCAL Fall Fest at Western Kentucky University, documenting the performances, atmosphere, and student experience of the college’s annual celebration. This gallery includes images from the 2024 “PCAL Incorporated” event, inspired by Scooby-Doo, and the 2025 “Sounds of the 60s” festival that tied into PCAL’s 60th Anniversary.

Challenge

Fall Fest is a fast-paced outdoor event with shifting lighting, high energy, and multiple activities happening at once. My goal was to capture each year’s theme while keeping the photos cohesive, clear, and visually engaging for use across PCAL’s social and promotional platforms.

Approach

I focused on a combination of candid student moments, performance photography, and environmental storytelling.

• 2024: Highlighted the playful, mystery-inspired Scooby-Doo theme with expressive candid shots, props, and performances.

• 2025: Captured the retro, music-driven atmosphere of “Sounds of the 60s,” including the anniversary-themed shirts, installations, and live entertainment.

Solution

The final gallery blends:

• candid interactions and crowd energy

• performance and music shots

• detailed images of props, giveaways, and themed elements

• wide scenes that communicate scale and atmosphere

The photos create a cohesive narrative across two distinct visual worlds.

Impact

The images provide PCAL with a strong visual record of Fall Fest across two distinct themes. They have been used for social content, news features, promotional materials, and internal communications. The combined gallery creates a clear, cohesive story of how Fall Fest evolved from 2024 to 2025 and how students engaged with the event each year.