Gaubatz, who earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in commercial photography, wanted to document the experiences of individuals living with the deadly virus as part of her honors program.

Beginning in spring 2006, Gaubatz completed the coalition’s extensive training program, so she could work directly with clients. However, when the time came to photograph them, Gaubatz met with some resistance. “Many of the clients are not publicly open about their status,” she said.

Instead of taking their photos, Gaubatz asked coalition clients to choose a symbol of their journey with HIV/AIDS, and to decide if they wanted to be in the photograph or not.

“Sometimes I didn’t know what I was going to be shooting until I got to the person’s house. It kept me on my toes and made things interesting,” said Gaubatz.

Her completed photo series, Symbols of Living, was printed in book form, and it was presented at the Southern Regional Honors Council 2007.

As a student, Gaubatz’s photos received numerous accolades, including recognition in the Nikon and Photographer’s Form Best of College Photography Contest annual award publication for three years. She also had her photos displayed in several shows, most recently at the Hart-Witzen Gallery in Charlotte, N.C.

“Coming to Winthrop, I knew I wanted to be in the arts. I originally was going to major in interior design, but the professors were so encouraging about my photography. Winthrop validated that I was doing the right thing for me,” said Gaubatz.

Photography is often used to aid social reform movements, said Rhiannon Gaubatz `07. Pictured here is a sample from her honors project.