Faith Lindenfelser
(’26 advertising)
Hometown: Saint Michael, Minnesota
My name is Faith Lindenfelser, and I am the student photographer for the Ivy College of Business. It surprises some, but I am not actually a student at Ivy. I study advertising, which is in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. However, my position is actively involved in a variety of events at Ivy, which gives me a sense of community here and deepens my appreciation for Iowa State University as a whole.
I am essentially a designer and storyteller for Ivy’s media landscape. The majority of my work has been event photography, staged photo sessions, and studio portraits — a diverse range of opportunities. My favorite assignment was photographing Dean Raj Agnihotri for the fall 2025 issue of Ivy magazine.
I am an extrovert by nature, so I enjoy getting to know people through my passion for photography. I’ve learned to connect with the students, faculty, and staff by doing what I can to make them feel confident at photoshoots. I actively listen to each individual and strive to deliver high-quality photos tailored to their specific needs. I often let them see the pictures to make sure they bring them joy.
A key principle of photography is lighting. I often utilize natural light at Ivy events, which are not always in the same space or held at the same time of day. Through this role, I became familiar with the appropriate camera settings to use based on the environment I am in. Typically, dim lighting makes it hard to get a crisp photo. I learned to lean into post-production editing techniques to counter challenging lightning situations.
Additionally, I learned how to shoot and edit in accordance with Ivy College of Business’s brand guidelines. I quickly understood what feelings we wanted to evoke and what kinds of interactions to photograph. Mixing rich, lively interactions with vibrant editing is what I apply most often.
My work has been featured in many marketing materials, both digital and print. Taking photos for the Ivy College of Business for nearly two years has helped me build my portfolio immensely. I have over 80 photoshoots to choose from, a frequency I most likely wouldn’t have done on my own. I am currently applying for a postgraduate career. Knowing I have strong photos in my portfolio from this experience gives me hope in continuing to do what I love.
Similarly, working at Ivy College of Business has enabled me to gain experience in media creation and marketing beyond my classwork. Employers place substantial value on professional and internship-based work. My work is published on multiple platforms, building my professional credibility. I take pride in my work and strive to continually acquire new skills, making it a great talking point for my resume and interviews.
As graduation nears, I reflect on how the marketing and communication services team is what truly makes my experience exceptional. I am involved from concept development to execution for photoshoots and social media content. Trusting my vision, the team gives me creative freedom within the brand guidelines. They are kind and validate my work. I always enjoy being in the office and chatting with them.
I attend our weekly team meetings, where I participate and engage in professional strategy and brainstorming sessions. Those meetings are a valuable time for me to understand what else is being worked on by the team. I quickly learned that in-person discussions work best for me, especially when I’m balancing multiple responsibilities. Being face-to-face helps me stay focused, ask thoughtful questions, and actively contribute to the conversation. However, I’ve improved my online communication skills via email and online tools with the help of my supervisor. Overall, working with this team has improved my communication and time management skills, and I am grateful for it!
Connect with Faith Lindenfelser on LinkedIn.
