Fresh off a flight from Phoenix to photograph NC State men’s basketball’s Final Four run, Hallie Walker made her first stop home from the airport at the third floor of Witherspoon Student Center to share her Final Four experience with her fellow employees at NC State Student Media.
Having worked for NC State Student Media for three years, Walker’s photo repertoire is nothing short of impressive. With over 250 photo assignments in a variety of sections, she’s surely made her mark on campus media.
“I think Hallie, she’s so driven and she’s such a joy to work with,” said Emily Vespa, a third-year studying English and managing editor at Technician. “Her work really speaks for itself, but it’s so moving, and I think that’s what really stands out to me about her work — you look at it and really feel the emotion. She’s my Princess Diana.”
Walker, a fourth-year studying business administration who serves as Agromeck photo editor and a Student Media senior staff photographer, joined Student Media during her second year at NC State with the intent of finding a community on campus while honing her love for photography.
“First day of school, I came into the open house and there was a photo meeting and there were people running everywhere,” Walker said. “I started and hit the ground running, basically.”
Walker said she’s always had a camera in her hands, but Student Media’s resources helped nurture her passion into a skill. As Agromeck photo editor, Walker is able to share those skills with beginner photographers.
“Getting to watch people go through the same experience that I did has been one of my favorite parts,” Walker said. “I love being that person that can answer your questions and be helpful, just like I had people who did that for me too.”
Walker gave honorable mentions to those mentors — one being Ray Black III, the visual media advisor at Student Media, who’s one of many Walker said pushed her out of her photography comfort zone.
“I can’t even begin to explain what he has done for me throughout the three years that I’ve been taking photos seriously,” Walker said. “He has helped me grow so much in terms of content.”
She said her recent experience of following NC State women’s and men’s basketball throughout their tournaments leading up to the Final Four, and then covering the men’s Final Four, has been one of those notable experiences that pushed her out of her comfort zone and will let her leave her mark on this piece of history.
“I feel like I look back on stuff from ‘83 that Student Media did … so just knowing that other people might do the exact same thing for me, and I mean, what might be next year or what might be many years is insane,” Walker said.
Walker said the pressure was on to document the Final Four experience, but she knew she was prepared for the task at hand.
“Getting ready to go to these big games can sometimes feel like a lot of pressure because I’m the only person going; it’s a one man team, and whatever coverage that comes from this is what we have to use,” Walker said. “But I’ve been doing it for so long that I have a lot of trust in myself to get the job done.”
Cate Humphreys, a third-year studying psychology and photo editor at Technician, said Walker has inspired her to push boundaries in her photography as well.
“Hallie has been such an inspiration as a fellow woman in a male-dominated field,” Humphreys said. “She has been such a mentor and role model for myself and other photographers. Seeing the absolutely beautiful art that she’s put out into the world has definitely compelled me to take risks.”
Walker’s advice to those who want to get involved in Student Media?
“I always say, it’s okay to be nervous, but don’t let that stop you from finding your people and learning something new,” Walker said. “You don’t have to have any experience — it’s the best part. So I tell all my new people, you don’t have to have any experience, no matter what, we’re going to help you, and we’re really happy to.”
Hallie will be graduating this spring, and intends to continue her photography upon leaving Student Media.
NC State head coach Wes Moore talks to the starting lineup before the ACC Tournament semifinals game against Florida State in Greensboro Coliseum on Saturday, March 9, 2024. NC State beat Florida State 69-43.
