Websites
Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
EF Gap Year - The Changemaker | 01/27-04/07 2023
National Geographic Student Expedition - Yellowstone Photography Workshop | June 21st-22nd 2021
Work Preference
Interests
Software
Generic
Charlie Stapleton

Charlie Stapleton

205 S Yale Ave,IL

Summary

Passionate photographer currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts and Technology with a concentration in Photography from Purdue University. Experienced in capturing dynamic wildlife and landscape imagery, with a strong eye for detail and composition. Always eager to learn and refine technical skills, from camera techniques to post-processing. Committed to creating impactful visuals that inspire and tell meaningful stories.

Work History

Staff Photographer

The Purdue Exponent
West Lafayette, IN
09.2024 - Current
  • Staff photographer for The Purdue Exponent, a fully independent student-run newspaper. Assignments consist of events, interviews, and, location shoots in conjunction with stories for the twice-weekly print.

Employee

Comet Frozen Custard
Rolling Meadows, IL
06.2019 - 08.2024
  • Dishwasher: Efficiently cleaned all necessary items to keep up with the flow of the custard production and assembly area.
  • Order assembly line: Quickly and properly assembled customer orders.
  • Cashier: Greeted visitors to promote great customer service, and a positive ordering experience.
  • Order Runner: Collected custard orders and quickly delivered to customers' tables and/or cars parked in drive-thru parking.
  • Ticket Reader: Received orders from the printer, and directed scoopers and assembly workers to produce orders in a timely fashion.
  • Custard Scooper: Received orders from the ticket reader and scooped custard orders to be sent to the assembly line, such as sundaes and shakes, or directly to the customer, such as cups and cones.
  • Employee Trainer: Trained new employees at starting positions such as dishwasher, register, and runner. Also trained employees for more experienced positions in the assembly line, ticket reading, and scooping.

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

National Youth Leadership Training, BSA
Twin Lake, MI
06.2019 - 06.2019
  • Provided mentoring and coaching to each day’s program patrol.
  • Supported NYLT presenters with preparations for sessions, meetings, and activities.
  • Modeled the core learning and leadership messages of the NYLT syllabus.
  • Completed other assignments as determined by the Senior Patrol Leader.

Patrol Leader

National Youth Leadership Training, BSA
Berrien County, MI
06.2018 - 06.2018
  • Oversaw an individual patrol of participating scouts ensuring they remained on task whilst participating in leadership training activities, slowly stepping back throughout the training to allow them to utilize their newly learned leadership techniques.
  • Presented leadership workshop for the entire camp.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art And Technology (Photography)

Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
08.2023 - 08.2025

Associate of Arts - Fine Art

William Rainey Harper College
Palatine, IL
08.2021 - 12.2022

Skills

  • Adobe Lightroom Classic
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Photo Editing
  • Retouching and color correction
  • Advanced camera skills
  • Shot composition
  • Adaptable shooting style
  • Collaborative team player
  • Continuous learning mindset
  • Professionalism and ethics

Accomplishments

Exhibitions/Galleries

  • Integrated Studio Arts Senior Show - April 2025
  • Nursing Center for Family Health Student Art Exhibition - March 2025
  • Purdue University Art and Design Undergraduate Exhibit - February 2025
  • Click Photography Club Juried Exhibition: November 2024
  • National Geographic Yellowstone Photography Workshop Gallery - 2021

Achievements

  • Rank of Eagle Scout

Timeline

Staff Photographer

The Purdue Exponent
09.2024 - Current

Bachelor of Arts - Studio Art And Technology (Photography)

Purdue University
08.2023 - 08.2025

Associate of Arts - Fine Art

William Rainey Harper College
08.2021 - 12.2022

Employee

Comet Frozen Custard
06.2019 - 08.2024

Assistant Senior Patrol Leader

National Youth Leadership Training, BSA
06.2019 - 06.2019

Patrol Leader

National Youth Leadership Training, BSA
06.2018 - 06.2018

EF Gap Year - The Changemaker | 01/27-04/07 2023

  • 10-week gap trip between transferring from William Rainey Harper College to Purdue University. Hosted by EF Gap Year, this excursion was focused on environmental conservation and sustainability. The trip included many volunteer experiences with various local environmental organizations, contributing to conservation efforts.

Countries Visited

  • Costa Rica
  • Panama
  • The Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador (including time spent on the Galapagos Islands)

National Geographic Student Expedition - Yellowstone Photography Workshop | June 21st-22nd 2021

10 day landscape and wildlife photography workshop. The program provided hands-on experience in capturing the park’s diverse ecosystems while learning from expert photographers including National Geographic Photographer Drew Rush. This opportunity deepened my passion for visual storytelling and strengthened my ability to document nature through photography.

Work Preference

Work Type

Part TimeFull TimeInternship

Work Location

On-SiteRemoteHybrid

Important To Me

Career advancementFlexible work hoursCompany CultureWork-life balanceHealthcare benefits

Interests

Wildlife and Landscape photography

Software

Adobe Lightroom Classic

Adobe Photoshop

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Charlie Stapleton