Students in the COM 447 Capstone course at Levin College recently took on a hands-on assignment: explore Cleveland through the art of photography.

Led by faculty member Dr. Beth Thomas, the project encouraged students to approach visual storytelling with intention, learning how to frame, compose, and communicate through images.

As part of the assignment, students explored different areas of the city and took two original photos that reflected Cleveland’s architecture, public spaces, or atmosphere. The goal was to strengthen their photography and design skills while also creating professional content they could share on their LinkedIn profiles.

Gabe Wasylko, Senior Manager of Social Media at Destination Cleveland and a well-known local photographer, visited the class to offer critique and insight. His feedback helped students refine their work and understand how imagery contributes to effective communication. He was recently featured in The Cleveland Stater for his work in the Cleveland creative community.

Featured students include: Morgan Alten, Kateryna Kopylchak, Madison Norville, Chantel Patterson, Mayra Sesmas, and Tammara Westmoreland.

View the students’ photos below, each one offering a unique perspective on Cleveland’s identity and landscape.