Jennifer Godwin-Minto
Whether photographing a pivotal moment at a volleyball game, capturing candids at Rivalry Week or documenting heartfelt dance performances, Upper School Visual Arts teacher, yearbook advisor and photographer Jennifer Godwin-Minto has been an ubiquitous presence in the Poly community for the past 27 years.
Having taken Poly’s senior portraits for many years prior, Godwin-Minto joined Poly as a teacher in 1998 after having her first child and deciding to close her portrait studio in San Marino. She initially taught darkroom photography, developing film in a darkroom that has since become the art history classroom. “She made the transition to digital photography seamlessly,” added Middle and Upper School Performing Arts teacher Richard Sherrell.
Since then, she has recorded and contributed to countless programs around campus, from providing pictures for the Poly Communications Department and The Paw Print to overseeing the creation of more than 25 yearbooks. Her passion and dedication to the community is evident in all of the work she does at Poly. “It’s kind of a 24/7 job,” shared Sherrell, “with all the activities that happen that have to be recorded and then [edited] afterward.”
Beyond taking and editing thousands of photos herself, she has also impacted many students through teaching photography elective courses. In her classes, Godwin-Minto created a fun environment fostering creativity and a sense of belonging.
“Even though I was in a male-dominated class and I didn’t know anyone, I felt very welcomed and comforted,” shared sophomore Mia Goonetilleke. “I really liked the 15-minute photo challenges, which were a test of our skills but mostly just fun.” In these challenges, students ran around campus capturing photos based off of a randomly selected theme. After editing, they would then vote on each other’s final results to select a winner.
Pulling from her business background, Godwin-Minto recently developed a new Photography Immersion course that delved deeper into what it truly means to be a professional photographer. This included detailing complex photography techniques, business skills as well as emphasizing individual photography style and life lessons. Every so often, she gave her students a “mom talk,” sharing wisdom and experience to help photography students in college and other endeavors outside of school.
“[Photography Immersion] was probably my favorite [of Godwin-Minto’s photography electives], because we really got to get down into the work and do more hands-on stuff that I wouldn’t do in any other class,” stated Goonetilleke. “She would help us individually and when she was teaching. It wasn’t just about school skills but about life skills.”
Through her teaching and artwork, Godwin-Minto inspired those around her to view the world through a new lens. Upper School Counselor Andrea Fleetham reflected on a workshop she took from Godwin-Minto, saying, “She actually had us lay down on our bellies and take pictures from our stomach, capturing photos of dogs. I learned so much about how we view things and if you change your angle just a little bit, it changes the whole way you take in information.”
Running back and forth between the North and South campuses throughout her many years at Poly, Godwin-Minto has touched the lives of students in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools, creating connections that extend across grade levels. “I love that I photograph most of these kids from the time they’re five years old in kindergarten and watch them grow up. I’ve been through many, many cycles of that 13-year rotation of kids coming through,” shared Godwin-Minto, “and it’s really sad to see them go, but I love seeing them when they come back to visit.”
Godwin-Minto especially enjoys dog agility training, an interest she shares with her daughter, McKenzie Minto ‘19. Both of Godwin-Minto’s children, also including Cheyne Minto ‘15, grew up at and graduated from Poly. Now that her kids have left, Godwin-Minto plans to spend her first year of retirement traveling the country in a motor-home with her two dogs and, of course, a camera.
“It’s just a huge loss for us as a school and for me personally as a friend,” shared Upper School Mathematics teacher Jack Prater, “but I’m happy for her. She’ll be living that van life to share her gifts with the rest of the world.”
