Meet the Student Photographers!
The 2026 Dartmouth College Fund calendar features photos from the winners of our fourth annual DCF student photography competition. Whether you're near or far, this year's calendar photography features perspectives from undergraduate students at Dartmouth. Learn more about the student photographers and the inspiration behind each image in the excerpts below.
Lila ’28
Majors: Cognitive Science and Russian
Hometown: Storrs, CT
Interests: Aquinas House, Eleazar Wheelock Society, First-Generation Office, Students for Life; editor and publisher at the Dartmouth Apologia; DOC trips
Photo: Cover
“During my freshman year, I lived in the Choates, which had the advantage of being close to both Occom Pond and the Connecticut River. Whenever I needed to clear my head, I'd take a walk around the pond and wonder at the quiet, shimmering world reflected in its glassy surface. Whether blanketed with snow, shrouded in fog, or surrounded by fall foliage, this is one of my favorite places on Dartmouth's scenic campus.
My family laughs because whenever we go on walks, I'm either running ahead to check something out or hanging back to inspect something we passed by. In the last few years, I've started using photography to share some of these small everyday wonders with others. It's especially interesting to look at a familiar scene from a different point of view—looking more closely, looking up from below, or catching the light at a new angle.”
Tobin ’26
Major: Environmental Studies; Minor: Climate Science
Hometown: Crozet, VA
Interests: President, Dartmouth Club Tennis; Videographer Intern, Dartmouth Communications Office; Forest Ecology Researcher (Tumber-Dávila Lab; Photo and Media Intern, Sustainability Office; Arctic Innovation Scholar; Rock Climbing)
Photos: January and November
“I started taking photos of mountains with my iPod when I was ten years old and have not looked back since! Photography has always been a chance for me to share the beauty I see in the world—particularly in nature—with others.”
Ben ’27
Majors: Government modified with economics
Hometown: Mclean, VA
Interests: War & Peace Fellow, Dickey Center; Great Issues Scholar; Going Global Digital Storytelling Intern; Presidential Research Scholar
Photos: February and inside front cover
“I first became interested in photography through making videos when I was younger, which eventually evolved into a passion for taking still shots. I began taking photography seriously in my sophomore year of high school after my family got a shared camera (I ended up hogging it), and it quickly became an important part of my life. Photography has opened many doors for me, from opportunities to travel to forging connections with people, and I’m forever grateful for all it has given me.”
Download February photo
Download inside cover photo
Gracie ’28
Major: Biology; Minor: Environmental Science
Hometown: Portland, ME
Interests: Dartmouth Dance Ensemble (Tap Group); Dartmouth Undergraduate Sudoku Society; Pre-Vet Society; WISP Peer Mentor Program
Photo: March
“I took this photo on a chilly November morning while walking to the Hanover Inn to meet my dad to go to breakfast at Lou's. The sun was just beginning to peek over the trees, casting long shadows over the frosty, deserted Green. I couldn't help but take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Hanover, and it reminded me how lucky I am to spend four years in such a special place.
I first became interested in photography during my freshman year of high school when I took a photography elective. It completely changed the way I see the world, helping me notice and appreciate the little things and view everyday things from new angles. Ever since then, I've found myself pausing throughout my day to capture moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.”
Keira ’27
Majors: Psychology/Philosophy
Hometown: Cos Cob, CT
Interests: Dartmouth EMS, Women's Club Lacrosse, DREAM, and Club Ski
Photo: April
“This photo is significant to me because it is of one of my dorms. I have so many awesome memories there and wanted to capture the beauty of the building in the golden hours of the evening. I'm honestly a pretty casual photographer and I just like to capture moments and scenes that elicit specific memories.”
Taite ’28
Major: Art History
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Interests: Designer, The Dartmouth; WedDCR, the Museum Club
Photo: May
“I took the picture when my dad and I drove up to Moosilauke Lodge because he wanted to see it. The mist on the mountains looked really pretty, and it’s always something I liked looking at from the common room of my dorm, so I thought it would be really nice to take picture of it with the lodge in the foreground.
I started taking art seriously in high school, around the same time that my dad started getting into taking photos. Because I needed reference photos for my artwork, I started taking photos of things I thought were cool to show to him.”
Nori ’28
Major: Geography
Hometown: Yarmouth, ME
Interests: Ledyard Canoe Club; Energy Justice Clinic; Club Basketball
Photo: June
“I took this photo of Dartmouth Hall during the last week of spring term, right after a storm. A rainbow had just faded, and pink fog rolled across campus, giving the building a dreamlike glow. It felt like one of those rare moments that stop you in your tracks, and I wanted to hold onto it through the photo.
I got into photography by spending time outside and wanting to capture the little details that made a place or moment feel special. Over time, I realized it was also a way to tell stories, using photos to preserve memories, share experiences with family and friends, and look back on moments that matter. I love that photography lets me both notice the world more closely and relive it later. I’ve also come to appreciate how powerful media can be for communicating science and making complex ideas more accessible.”
Adithya ’28
Major: Biology
Hometown: Bedford, NH
Interests: Research Assistant in the biology department; part of Cabin and Trail; Shanti (the Hindu student organization); Project Assistant with Evergreen AI
Photo: July
“I took this photo while walking by the observatory on my way back to my dorm one evening in May. The clouds were hanging low, giving the building a striking appearance, so I stopped to take a picture with my phone. I’m also interested in astrophotography and have taken night-sky photos around the Upper Valley, where the low light pollution makes it easier to capture stars.
I first learned to use a DSLR in a high school photography class, and since then, I’ve kept up the hobby both with a DSLR and my phone. I like using my phone because it’s always with me, so whenever I see an interesting scene or framing, I can capture it right away.”
Yujie ’27
Majors: Digital Art, Studio Art
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Interests: DOC Cabin and Trail leader; Designer of posters and stickers around campus like the 2025 Winter Carnival poster
Photo: August
“I've spent two summers here at Dartmouth, and it was the most beautiful experience. Where else can you ever finish a midterm exam and go jump into the dreamy, glittering Connecticut River right after? I am grateful for the intimate connection between Dartmouth and its surrounding nature. In my photo, I captured the sunbathed dock that has witnessed many of my happy adventures on the river.
I am a visual artist at heart, and I enjoy telling aesthetic stories through any form of media. I believe that through a harmonious blend of composition, subject, and lighting, we can visualize humanity's wildest dreams. I also just take way too many photos in general. I want to preserve my memories with visuals, and conveniently, someone invented a camera a while ago.”
Dhanush ’26
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Interests: Aegis Yearbook Club; the Dartmouth Indian Association; the Dartmouth Futsal Club
Photos: September and October
“As an international student, I didn't have an appreciation for the game of football before I attended Dartmouth. The Homecoming Football game happened to take place the same day as my friend's birthday, and he convinced me to go with him. I was pleasantly surprised when a band appeared playing at the start of the game. I took this photo to capture the moment.”
Download September photo
“The bonfire in 2024 was extra special to me, because I spent the evening with all my recently graduated friends who returned to campus to celebrate. As we stood there looking at the fire, I remembered that during my first homecoming in my freshman year, I thought it was the craziest tradition. Now, watching it crackle, I was much more focused on the warmth of it, surrounded by the friends I made along the way, and took this picture to capture that feeling.”
Tilda ’28
Major: Engineering
Hometown: Salem, MA
Interests: Dartmouth Society of Photographers; Dartmouth Outing Club
Photo: December
“I took this photo near Mass Row shortly after leaving my dorm on a snowy day last year. It struck me how the snow was still clinging onto the branches of the trees, and I felt like it gave a perfect snapshot of what campus looked and felt like on that day. I love that I can step out of my room and immediately be in the center of a beautiful environment.
I enjoy traveling and spending time in nature, so photography seems like a natural way to try to capture those experiences. I like to walk around with my digital camera and try to imagine all the interesting ways I can frame what I see, and I have recently started experimenting with other photography techniques, such as cyanotyping.”
