Education
B.J., Photojournalism, University of Missouri
M.A., Photography, Ohio University
Background
Denise McGill grew up in Missouri and got in-state tuition to study at University
of Missouri’s prestigious School of Journalism. She worked as a staff photographer
for daily newspapers until earning a spot as an overseas correspondent for the award-winning
magazine The Commission. She went on assignment to 25 countries in three years. When
the magazine folded, she incorporated video into her skill set. She has been freelancing
and teaching since then.
Research
McGill is a photojournalist with a focus on migration, faith and multicultural issues.
For her masters project she received a grant to photograph and write about Somali
Bantu refugees as they travelled from Kenya to Chicago. The project was published
in an eight-page article in Christianity Today magazine, circulation 100,000.
McGill has traveled extensively for the project “Sacred Places,” examining modern
landscape at Biblical sites in the Mediterranean Basin and Asia Minor. More recently,
McGill has created videos about sustainable agriculture in the United States.
Funded Research
The Gullah Project: Multimedia and video documentary about Gullah/Geechee people of
the Seacoast Islands. Expected release December 2014.
Received: Provost’s Creative & Performing Arts Grant Program. 2013, $20,000.
Received: College of Mass Communications & Information Sciences, Faculty Development
Stimulus Funds. 2012, $5,000.
A Better Place: Video documentary about farmers who have used USDA funding and resources
in South Carolina. Released November 2012. Co-PI with Dr. Robin Kloot.
Received: Natural Resources Conservation Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Cultural
and Natural Resources Outreach and Soils Education.” 2011, Three grants totaling $105,000.
NRCS Recruiting: online video to entice high school students to study conservation
in college. Created in collaboration with Dr. Robin Kloot. Released July 2010.
Received: Natural Resources Conservation Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Use
of Video Medium for Recruiting, Outreach, Training, & Education.” 2010, $4,878.
Pasture Conservation Practices: online video series to educate farmers on new sustainable
livestock grazing methods. Created in collaboration with Dr. Robin Kloot. Released
December 2009.
Received: Natural Resources Conservation Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Natural
Resource Technology Transfer for Cropland Conservation Systems” 2009, $1,500.
Teaching
At the University of South Carolina, McGill teaches photography, video and Introduction
to Visual Communications to undergraduate students. She often takes students on outings
to practice their photography in the field. She also has interests in teaching business
practices and religion in the news.
McGill also teaches seminars across the country in the areas of photojournalism and
visual communications. She uses a no-nonsense approach with emphasis on practical
applications. In 2009 she received the Beckman Stewart Award for Excellence in Academia,
a national honor in the photojournalism industry.
Recent Publications
McGill, D., curator. (2013). Portrait of South Carolina. by Aaron, J. and Walker, L. Exhibited throughout South Carolina.
Kloot, R. & McGill, D. (2012, Nov.). A better place: St. Helena Island, South Carolina.
Kloot, R. & McGill, D. (2011, July 11). Soil stories: A journey beneath the soil’s surface. University of South Carolina Earth Science & Resources Institute.
Kloot, R. & McGill, D. (2011, Jan.). Wildlife habitat for good. University of South Carolina Earth Science & Resources Institute.
McGill, D. (2008, Oct. 1-31). Priceless souls. Davis Art Gallery, Stephens College. Columbia, Mo.
Service
Founder and advisor, USC Student Chapter of the National Press Photographers Association,
University of South Carolina Student Chapter
Member, South Carolina News Photographers Association
Leadership committee member, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication's
Visual Communication Division
Former national secretary, National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
Personal
McGill enjoys kayaking and swimming. Her guilty pleasure is making cat videos.
