Student Testimonials
Jukari Martínez | Documentary Methods | Columbia College Chicago
“At the beginning of the Documentary Methods class led by Dylan Yarbrough, we, the students, were told to choose one project topic to work on for the rest of the 15-week semester. Dylan heard all of my topics and we settled on a project about my relationship with my dad.
My project took a turn when my dad suffered a heart attack in the middle of the semester. I had to miss almost two weeks of school because of this and Dylan was empathetic and reasonable with my situation. When I had the chance to return to school Dylan encouraged me to capitalize on what I was going through and to tell the story my dad carried. Continuously challenging the work I did, Dylan made the parts I got stuck on seem easy to fix. He created a relationship with me as a student that made it easy to foresee the opportunities that come from hardships. Because of him I had the courage to continue my journey as a photographer and he gave me the mental tools to push through adversity.
Through encouragement and reassurance, Dylan pushed all his students to their limits. The constant support each individual had from Dylan pushed each of us to make work that had meaning and dedication. He was not afraid to be vulnerable, therefore it made it easy for us to find meaningful connections to him. At the end of the semester I gifted Dylan a copy of my prototype book as a way to show my appreciation and respect for him as a professor. It also serves as a reminder to him that if it wasn’t for his teachings alot of us, including myself, wouldn't have accomplished all that we did in that 15 week class.”
Maxwell Blanchard | Color Concepts | School of the Art Institute of Chicago
“Dylan Yarbrough fostered an open-minded, social, and informative classroom environment which comes unparalleled to previous professor experiences. Dylan sought to expand our understanding of photography, not only on a technical and conceptual level, but also to a point of professionalism and career development. He did everything within his ability to help us begin our steps to achieving our personal creative goals. Every day, Dylan would arrive to class early and eager to socialize with students. His drive to build a substantial connection with students and his willingness to lend an ear created a comforting and supportive environment.
Dylan’s class structure was informative and digestible, allowing us breathing room for individual creative expression within the homework and project assignments. He challenged us to break out of our comfort zones and expand ourselves individually. When it came to his class feedback and critique structure, Dylan was insightful, reaffirming, and constructive. He was comfortable with talking to students about their work and was able to weave criticism and positive language in a way that not only pointed us towards improvements within our projects but also left us with a strong inspirational drive to keep pursuing our project ideas.
Overall, Dylan Yarbrough’s active dedication towards his own career and his drive to inform and help students have brought insightful knowledge that shows us an understanding of topics within photography and its systems. Along with his educational teachings, he paved the way for us to think about our career goals and proved to us how truly possible it is to develop a career as an artist. He helped by proving to us that a strong dedication and a confident mindset can be the building blocks you need to start a successful journey towards your creative goals.”
Alina Pawl-Castanoñ | Documentary Methods | Columbia College Chicago
“As a professor, Dylan Yarbrough went above and beyond to connect with students on an academic and emotional level. I had the pleasure of taking Documentary Methods with Yarbrough that resulted in the production of my first photo book.
Pushing us to go beyond our comfort zones, Yarbrough encouraged me to test the boundaries of my photography and in turn helped build confidence in me as an artist. With conversations of open dialogue between both professor and students, I was able to build on critique every week to produce a polished piece of work that I am proud to publish.
Because of the safe and understanding space created by my professor, I was never afraid to question, debate or disagree. The space curated allowed students to engage and uplift each other's work. I learned a lot about myself on a personal level as well as an artist in Yarbrough's class, and was encouraged to explore my own interests and passions within and outside the academic forum.”
Chenzhen Zong | Color Concepts | School of the Art Institute of Chicago
“As a senior at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Dylan Yarbrough is one of the best professors I have ever had.
Dylan kept up with the schedule posted at the beginning of the semester and adjusted it in real time to make it more optimal. Students are able to follow the schedule step by step with great clarity. This is extremely student friendly and allows students to quickly adapt to his pace of teaching. In terms of content, Dylan definitely doesn't limit himself to the course curriculum, and is happy to share any knowledge he can about photography. This is a great opportunity for many students who are new to the photography department to grow quickly.
In Dylan’s critiques, he arranged a very reasonable schedule of creation, motivated the students to develop their own projects, and provided very useful advice every time. I could feel the progress of every student in the class after listening to his advice and thinking for themselves in the process. Finally and most importantly, Dylan has no reservations about sharing his new exposure to opportunities, local exhibitions, inspiring artists, or any other useful and relevant information every week. This is a very over-the-top way for students to learn how to be a good artist and how to find ways to constantly promote their practice. I believe that gaining this knowledge of the Art-world is crucial for students to develop more possibilities in the future.
Through the semester, our relationship is more than just professor and student — we are also friends and colleagues.”
Molly Brennan | Photo Practice III | Columbia College Chicago
“Dylan Yarbrough shaped how I view photography and my professional career. Dylan was one of the only teachers I have had that shared calls for work, grants applications, and fellowships at the beginning of most classes in a hope to further our creative practice.
Throughout our semester together, Dylan offered feedback that was not only constructive but insightful, leading to a better understanding of how to create a body of work. During class, he stressed the importance of communicating with everyone in class on what they were doing well and what could be improved on, which built a strong sense of community and inclusion for everyone.
One thing that I really enjoyed about his class was the wider photographic context he brought to our assignments. At the beginning of a new assignment, we would be given examples of both contemporary and historical photographers that would guide us in our creation process. Overall, I think Dylan is a great teacher who cares about his students and the medium he is teaching!”
Ava Bosetti | Image Strategies | Columbia College Chicago
“It is with great enthusiasm that I reflect on my time in Dylan Yarbrough’s class, an experience that has been both intellectually enriching and personally transformative. Dylan’s unique combination of technical expertise, profound knowledge of photography history and theory, and unwavering commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environment has left an indelible mark on my educational journey.
His comprehensive understanding of the subject matter equips students with practical skills essential for success in the field. Dylan’s commitment to staying well-informed of industry advancements fosters an environment of progressive learning. Dylan’s ability to inspire and cultivate a dynamic and inclusive learning environment undoubtedly positions him as an asset to any academic institution.
I am grateful for the privilege of being his student and am confident that his impact will resonate with many others in the years to come.”
Jordan Jefferson | Photo Practice III | Columbia College Chicago
"Dylan's unwavering commitment to the practical applications of photography beyond the confines of the classroom has significantly shaped my experience at Columbia. In my two years here, he stands out as the first instructor who openly shared the challenges of his own career. This vulnerability allows him to seamlessly bridge the lessons he imparts with the practical insights crucial for navigating the modern world we are about to enter. While all the photography instructors in our department excel in their craft, Dylan's unique dedication to both our education and his own career sets him apart.”
Emily Teran | Documentary Methods | Columbia College Chicago
“Dylan Yarbrough is a leading figure within the photographic community. He is an individual that constantly advocates for his students through one-on-one guidance and keeping his students informed of photographic opportunities: including grants and open calls for work. As a former student I can say with confidence that learning from a practicing professional is not only reassuring but serves as an example of what artists are capable of after their education. Not only is Dylan kindhearted but he also pushes his students to dig deeper, through photographic research whether historically or strategically. He is dependable, easy to communicate with, and can guide with his abundance of knowledge and empathy.”
Carolina Ortiz | Photo Practice III | Columbia College Chicago
“Dylan was open minded and encouraging of every student’s interests, allowing everyone to create art that they were passionate about. He gave every student useful, relevant and personalized guidance to ensure everyone had the chance to do what they enjoyed while still allowing us to explore new artistic venues. No one was ever discouraged from doing what interested them, instead they were aided to create the best they could.
Such a perspective allowed me to view my work from a more substantial approach which reflected in my art as my work and skills improved massively from the beginning of the semester to the end. I truly felt like my new perspective, approach, skills and mindset were ones I could rely on throughout my artistic career and life after college.
Dylan’s approach to teaching was very unique since it allowed me to grow as an artist rather than just a student. Dylan has a genuine interest and passion for what he does which comes across in the way he pays special attention to every student.”