You might see a few familiar faces on screens across campus, as student leaders from Student Niner Media are now being featured in ads for the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at UNC Charlotte.  

Sarah Carson, who is currently interning with UNC Charlotte’s Licensing Department, organized the shoot and designed the campaign. In addition to her work with the Licensing Department, she also serves as the design director for Midas Magazine. The current campaign features a tennis theme, complete with rackets and models wearing bookstore apparel. It’s even more of a nod to Midas, as Caprielle Terry, editor in chief, and Nadia Narayanan, managing editor, are featured in the photo shoot. 

“I had such an amazing time shooting with Sarah for the tennis photoshoot. The shoot took place at the UNC Charlotte tennis courts, and it was such a fun and creative experience. The photos are now featured in the UNC Charlotte Bookstore and displayed across campus, which has been exciting to see,” Caprielle said.  

In her role with the Licensing Department, Sarah is utilizing the skills she learned while in Student Niner Media. “In this role, I am in charge of planning photoshoots thoroughly (styling, prop lists, equipment lists, location scouting, model contacts, pose guides, etc.), leading photoshoots on the day of, and editing images for social, digital, and print use,” she said. She is also a print layout specialist, and learned most of those skills from being a designer and design director for Midas for the past two-and-a-half years. Midas was also where she learned technical skills including type setting, layout & design, and file formatting. Sarah grew her skillsets in media, and is building upon that experience in her internship.    

The tennis-themed campaign is not the first that Sarah has completed for the Licensing Department. She worked on the Homefield campaign at the beginning of the semester which was featured on yards signs, bus stops, and still appears on digital signs. Smaller shoots she has completed include one for Nike, a softball/baseball shoot which also featured Nadia, football football-themed day shoots and a skatepark shoot. The football-themed shoot includes another Student Niner Media leader, Jermaine Johnson. 

“For multiple shoots and my team members' shoots we have worked with Caprielle and Nadia. I met both of them through being an executive staff member for Midas. They have both always been incredibly supportive of me and the rest of the Midas staff in our ‘non-Midas’ endeavors and I am extremely grateful for their willingness and eagerness to help me with my photo projects,” Sarah said. 

Caprielle is no stranger to modeling, as it is her part-time career. And the gigs just keep on coming. While on set for the photo shoots with Sarah, she met another photographer named Trinity Roberts, who later gave her the opportunity to be a part of a Charlotte FC photoshoot. “That shoot ended up being featured on the large screen at Bank of America Stadium - such a surreal full-circle moment that all started from this project,” Caprielle said. 

From humble beginnings in the tiny Midas office in the basement of the Popp Martin Student Union, to being featured on screens all over campus, these students are doing amazing work, making connections and developing their skills. “The community that Midas has allowed me to be a part of is one I am truly grateful for, it is a community that uplifts and supports each other in all ways possible,” Sarah said.