RITA NISAN nessiar@piercecollege.edu, www.ritasphotos.photoshelter.com HIGHLIGHTS 25 years of experience in different fields of art and photography (digital, film, darkroom), and multimedia Photojournalist Multilingual in English, Assyrian, Farsi, and Turkish EXPERIENCE Los Angeles Pierce College, Woodland Hills, California (2005-present) Adjunct Instructor of Photography, Photojournalism and Photoshop Teach camera operation, composition, traditional and digital printing techniques. Advisor of photography to campus newspaper for 2 semesters. West Valley Christian Center, Chatsworth, California (2005-present) Part-time Staff Photographer/Photo editor Document services, events, weddings, and retreats. Select photos for publications. ELAM, Eternal Agape Ministries, Winnetka, California (2002- 2007) Photographer/ Photo Editor Photograph events and select photos for all church publications.

Photography with Heart photography studio, Woodland Hills, California (2007) Photographer and Editor (Production) Post production work including retouching. Photographed weddings. Rita’s Photos, Tehran, Iran, Canoga Park California (1997-present) Owner, freelance wedding, commercial, and documentary photography Assemblies of God Churches, Tehran, Iran (1993-2001) Duties as a photographer, instructor and translator Traveled three states to photograph Iraqi Kurds in three different refugee camps. In a critical situation of a riot helped World Relief delegates to feed 16,000 people. Photographed funerals of church leaders that were abducted and murdered. In a time when all photographers’ films were confiscated, I was the only person who documented the event by smuggling the film out. Photographs published in church newsletters and books. Taught teens camera operation and printing. “Assyrian Forgotten Nation” project photographed life of Assyrians in Iran. Cultural Ministry of Iran, Tehran, Iran (1991-1993) Taught basics of black and white and color photography to adults. Taught black and white printing, studio techniques, retouching and professional darkroom techniques.

EDUCATION

Graduate Student California State University, Northridge, California Taking photography classes at Art Department. Expect to complete my studies in fine art photography, and eventually a Masters of Fine Art. Student, 2002-2005 Los Angeles Pierce College Completed 80 units Studies in Photojournalism, Multimedia, Video Editing Dean’s and President’s Honor B.A. Bible and Theology, 2002 Global University, Springfield Missouri B.A. Photography, 1991 Tehran University, Tehran, Iran Graduated in the field of photography at the Faculty of Fine Arts, was recognized First Rank (with excellent honor) among all graduates. Completed ninety units in photography (photojournalism, commercial photography, Physics and chemistry of photography, aesthetics, and composition, printing techniques, advanced techniques of wet darkroom like black and white and color film and paper solarization, posterization, toning, etc.). Short Course in Make-Up for Camera, 1998 Moaierian Institute , Tehran, Iran Dressmaking, Patternmaking 1985 Oroumieh, Iran EXHIBITS Art and Artists of Mesopotamia, Hyatt Regency, Valencia, California May 2010 Art in the One-World Conference, Cal Arts, Valencia, Calif.- January 2009 Student Art Show, California State University, Northridge, Calif.- Spring 2007 Salon de Refuse, California State University, Northridge, Calif. – Spring 2007 Student Art Show, Los Angeles Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif. -Fall 2005 Assyrian Association of Tehran, Dedicated to Charities, Tehran, Iran-1992 Museum of Modern Arts, Tehran Iran -1992 Anjoman Cinema e Javan e Iran, Tehran, Iran – 1991 Faculty of Art, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran – August 1991 INTERESTS Fashion design, dressmaking, photo transferring, hand tinting photographs, and reading. I enjoy leading photography field trips for students and I am a frequent career day volunteer.