Photojournalism Final Story: Dana Risso

Dana Risso, 21, is a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As a senior Communication Disorders major, Dana must juggle her busy schedule, dividing her time between her academics, work, and boyfriend. Not only is Dana a full-time student, but she is also Captain of the Amherst Volunteer Fire Department, a fire-safety attendant for residence life on-campus, and an employee at Dick’s Sporting Goods.

If Dana is not doing schoolwork or hanging out with friends, she is spending time with her boyfriend, Eric Toia, who is also a member of the fire squad. Dana and Eric have been dating for nearly two years, since they met during their sophomore year of college. They treasure their free time together as college-bound grads, and plan to move in together after they graduate in May 2011.

As only one of three female fire-fighters on the Amherst squad, Dana must keep a strong and confident attitude in the male-dominated environment. Her professional attitude is apparent when in her presence.  This allows her to handle herself very well, and maintain the attention and control of the other members of the squad. 

Dana Risso, 21, is Captain of the Amherst Fire Department's volunteer squad, and a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Capt. of the Amherst Fire Dept.'s volunteer squad, Dana Risso, 21, records the month's emergency calls on Thursday, November 28th. "The paperwork wouldn't be all that bad if I didn't have so much homework to do." - Dana Risso Dana Risso, 21, Capt. of the Volunteer Amherst Fire Dept., gives instructions during her squad's weekly "drill" practice on Thursday, November 18th. "A few hours ago, I was sitting in class next to some of the guys. Now I'm giving them orders. There's good and bad in that." -Dana Risso

Dana Risso, 21, Capt. of the Volunteer Amherst Fire Dept., leads her squad in drill practice on Thursday, November 18th. "It's intimidating and awkward having to tell the guys what to do, but I learned to bite the bullet. Now it's somewhat of a power-trip for me." -Dana Risso

Dana Risso, 21, a senior at UMass Amherst, walks to her Marketing class on Thursday, November 25th.

Dana Risso, 21, Captain of the Amherst Fire Department's Volunteer squad, lives and works in a male-dominated atmosphere; however, she is no tom-boy. 
"I love shoes. I'm part of a shoe club." -Dana Risso

Dana Risso, 21, spends time with her boyfriend, Eric Toia, 22. Both are firefighters; however, Dana holds a higher ranking than Eric. "It can get tough bossing Eric around at work. You have to leave the relationship at home, otherwise it can make working together really tense." -Dana Risso

Dana Risso, 21, basically lives at her boyfriend's apartment, Eric Toia, 22. They will be moving in together after they graduate in May 2011.

"Being the woman-in-charge at the firehouse is really awesome. But having someone there for you when you come home is even better." - Dana Risso

"Sports Assignment" - Women's Basketball

Brown Junior guard, Lindsay Steele #25, contests for a rebound as the Bears head into halftime with a 34-25 deficit against the UMass Minutewomen on Wednesday, December 1, at the Mullins Center. UMass wins against Brown, 77-55.

The Minutewomen warm up before their game against the Brown Bears on Wednesday, December 1 at the Mullins Center.

Brown Freshman forward, Jordin Juker #3, shoots a free throw as the Bears try to close the gap with the UMass Minutewomen on Wednesday, December 1, at the Mullins Center. UMass beats Brown, 77-55.

The UMass women's basketball team dominated Brown, 77-55, finishing with a shooting rate of 51 percent on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at the Mullins Center.

Question for Ilana Panich-Linsman

As a photojournalist, do you ever feel intimidated by your subjects, and if so, does it ever affect the outcome of your photograph?

"Feature Story" on Dana Risso: Volunteer Amherst Fire Dept. Captain



Volunteer Amherst Fire Dept. Captain, Dana Risso, 21, (right) leads cadets during drill practice on Thursday, November 11, 2010.



Volunteer Amherst Fire Dept. Captain, Dana Risso, 21, records intake calls from residents. 

Dana Risso, 21, studies her firefighter manual at the station, where she lives.



2010 Election "Interaction"



A Masspirg member instructs UMass senior, Jake Galley, on how to fill-out an absentee ballot on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - election day.

UMass senior, Jake Galley, signs Masspirg's "I Voted" board to show his support for election day on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.



Amherst resident, Maureen Ash, campaigns outside of the Immanuel Lutheran Church on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - election day.



Debroah Write, Amherst resident, campaigns for Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, outside of the Immanuel Lutheran Church on election day, Tuesday, November 2, 2010.





Masspirg members urge students to vote on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - midterm election day.



Halloween Portrait: 
"The Living Dead"

"This is my year to do the scaring," says Brittany Jill, UMass senior. "I'm usually the hippie who can't walk down the street without screaming every ten seconds - but not this time. The tables have turned."

Brittany Jill, UMass senior, prepares for Halloween. "This is the one time of year you can be anything you want. You are in control."

"I want to walk amongst the dead this year," says Brittany Jill, UMass senior, as she prepares for Halloween. "I want to make people shudder every time I turn their way."

Brittany Jill, UMass senior, claims to be a Halloween junkie. "Why not? It's the one time of year you can let your imagination take you over - you can be anything. So why not see what it's like to walk on the other side?"

Homecoming Tailgate 2010

Students and alumni tailgate before the UMass Amherst homecoming game, where the Minutemen took on the Richmond Spiders on Saturday, October 16th.