Joke Turns into a 'Big Apple' Trip

What started as a class joke between a photography professor and his class at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, led to a productive, once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York City with a renowned photographer.

For one student, Jordan Edens, it also led to the special honor of having her photo published in a major photography magazine.

It began this way.

Dordt College Professor Doug Burg had been planning a trip to New York City, and his photography students asked to come along.

Edens, a junior majoring in a photography independent studies program at Dordt, says they jokingly asked Burg "if he could take us in his suitcase."

Edens, of Kennewick, Wash, and other members of the class were surprised when their winsome request turned into reality through funding from the Andreas Center for Reformed Scholarship and Service.

The Andreas Center provides opportunities for faculty, students, and staff members of Dordt College to develop Reformed Christian scholarship and service that engages the 21st Century’s global community. In this case, the center funded the 2011 spring break trip to New York City for Burg’s students.

Once they arrived in New York City, students were delighted to find that their guide through the streets of the city was Rene Clement, an award-winning photographer based in New York. He has ties to Sioux County and has produced a coffee-table book of photos featuring Orange City natives in Dutch costumes.

For Edens, the trip brought the added honor of having a photo published the Best of Photography 2011 coffee-table book sponsored by Photographer’s Forum magazine.

She was riding on the Staten Island ferry when she snapped her photo, showing a U.S. Coast Guard sailor manning a stationary machine gun on a Coast Guard responder boat speeding by in the water.

She decided to submit the photo to Best Photography of 2011 competition.

"I chose to submit this photo because it was pretty unique, definitely not an image you see every day," said Edens.

More than 14,000 photographs were submitted by amateur photographers from the United States, Canada, and close to 90 other countries worldwide. Only the top 11 percent were chosen to be included in in coffee-table book.

Edens almost tossed the letter announcing that her photo was selected.

"When I got the letter in the mail, I thought it was junk mail. I’m glad I opened it." The honor helped solidify for her the decision to pursue a major and a career in photography. "I feel very honored and excited that I was recognized," she said.

Edens wasn't the only one taking pictures.

On the trip, Burg's students took photos of people helping out at the Project Hospitality ministry on Staten Island. Project Hospitality shares the gospel and a free breakfast with day laborers waiting to be chosen for a day of work. The ministry will use those photos to help share the word about their mission.