Brooklynn Jarvis Kelson
| Brooklynn Jarvis Kelson | |
|---|---|
 Brooklynn Kelson Tintype.jpg | |
| Born | Brooklynn Jarvis February 15, 1998 |
| 🏳️ Nationality | American |
| 🎓 Alma mater | Brigham Young University (BA, 2024) |
| 💼 Occupation | Photographer |
| Known for | Dance photography |
| 🏅 Awards | University Photographers' Association of America Student Photographer of the Year (2023, 2024) |
Brooklynn Jarvis Kelson is an American photographer from Idaho currently living in Utah. She is best known for being named Student Photographer of the Year by the University Photographers' Association of America (UPAA) in both 2023 and 2024, becoming the first person to win the award and the first to win it consecutively.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
Kelson is originally from Meridian, Idaho. She is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission for the church in Brazil Belo Horizonte from 2018 to 2020.[4] Kelson attended Brigham Young University (BYU), where she studied in the photography program within the Department of Design. She graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in photography.[5]
Career
BYU Photo
While at BYU, Kelson worked as a student photographer for BYU Photo, the university's photography office, where she was mentored by director Jaren Wilkey and assistant director Nate Edwards. Her responsibilities included photographing university events, devotionals, athletic contests, dance performances, and creating portraits. She specialized in dance photography, a passion that developed through her work at BYU Photo. In 2023, she taught a breakout session on dance photography at the UPAA symposium.[6][7]
Senior capstone
For her senior capstone project in 2024, Kelson created a portfolio titled "Pinnacle," which featured dancers photographed outdoors in natural settings throughout Utah, including at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The project combined dance photography with landscape imagery to showcase "the pinnacle of God's creations." The work emphasized the beauty of the human body and the natural environment.[8][9]
Awards and recognition
Student Photographer of the Year
In 2023, Kelson became the inaugural recipient of the UPAA Student Photographer of the Year award, which recognized her portfolio of work created during the 2022–2023 academic year. She received a standing ovation when accepting the award at the UPAA symposium in South Bend, Indiana.[10][11] In 2024, she won the award for a second consecutive year, making her the first person to win the award twice. The 2024 award recognized her portfolio from the 2023–2024 school year, which included her senior capstone work.[12]
Competition awards
Throughout her time at BYU Photo, Kelson won numerous awards in UPAA's Monthly Image Competitions and Annual Photo Competitions, including:
2024 Annual Photo Competition: 2nd place (Student and Associate category) for "Dancing in the Skies," 4th place for "The Hollow".[13]
2024 February Monthly Image Competition: 1st place (Student and Associate category) for "The First Snow," 2nd place for "Bucket Shot".[14]
Multiple first, second, third, and fourth place awards in various Monthly Image Competition categories from 2023–2024.[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
Influence on BYU Photo
Kelson's consecutive wins contributed to BYU Photo's record at UPAA competitions. In 2025, BYU Photo achieved three consecutive years of producing the Student Photographer of the Year, with Matthew Norton winning in 2025 following Kelson's two wins.[22]
Personal life
Kelson is married to Landon Kelson, an entrepreneur. Following her graduation in 2024, she planned to start a family and work while her husband completed his education.[23][24]
Professional practice
After graduating from BYU, Kelson established herself as a professional photographer specializing in dance, portrait, and product photography. She operates Brooklynn Kelson Photography, based in the Utah Valley area.[25][26]
External links
Category:Living people
Category:21st-century American photographers
Category:American women photographers
Category:Brigham Young University alumni
Category:People from Meridian, Idaho
Category:Latter Day Saints from Idaho
Category:Latter Day Saints from Utah
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:21st-century American women
References
- ↑ "Behind the lens: BYU student named Student Photographer of the Year". BYU News. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Design Grad Wins Student Photographer of the Year For the Second Consecutive Year". BYU College of Fine Arts & Communications. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Brooklynn Jarvis Kelson's Award-winning Photo". BYU Magazine. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "BYU Senior Named Student Photographer of the Year". Church of Jesus Christ Philanthropies. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Design Grad Wins Student Photographer of the Year For the Second Consecutive Year". BYU College of Fine Arts & Communications. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "About Us". BYU Photo. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Dance Photography with Brooklynn Kelson – UPAA 2024 Symposium". YouTube. UPAA. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Brooklynn Kelson – Nationally acclaimed and award-winning photographer". BrooklynnKelson.com. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Brooklynn Jarvis Kelson's Award-winning Photo". BYU Magazine. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Brooklynn Kelson named UPAA Student Photographer of the Year". YouTube. BYU Photo. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "MIC Q&A May 2023". UPAA. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Design Grad Wins Student Photographer of the Year For the Second Consecutive Year". BYU College of Fine Arts & Communications. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2024 Annual Photo Competition". UPAA. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2024 February Monthly Image Competition". UPAA. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2023 November Monthly Image Competition". UPAA. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2023 September Monthly Image Competition". UPAA. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2023 March Monthly Image Competition". UPAA. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2023 October Monthly Image Competition". UPAA. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2023 June Monthly Image Competition". UPAA. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2024 March Monthly Image Competition". UPAA. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "2024 Annual Photo Competition (summary page)". UPAA. 31 December 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Photographic memory: BYU boasts nation's top student photographer for third year in a row". BYU News. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Landon Kelson (@landonkelson)". Instagram. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Brooklynn Jarvis Kelson (@brookdiggity)". Instagram. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Brooklynn Kelson – Nationally acclaimed and award-winning photographer". BrooklynnKelson.com. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
- ↑ "Individual Portraits". store.brooklynnkelson.com. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
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