Photo credit: Elijah Cazel, junior. 

May 09, 2025 — On the third floor of the historic Shot Tower at Fort Hayes Career Center, the photography classroom fills with the sounds of cameras clicking as students crowd around photography teacher Stephen Takacs as he demonstrates a lighting technique. 

The scene might seem ordinary—until you realize Takacs once stood on the opposite side of that very classroom, camera in hand, as a student himself.

Now, over two decades later, Takacs’ journey has come full circle.

“In high school, I actually attended the Fort Hayes Photography Career Center program,” he said with a smile. “It really changed my life.”

Originally a student at Westerville South High School, Takacs spent half his school day at Fort Hayes during his junior and senior years. For a teenager eager to leave school behind, the photography program rekindled a spark.

“Fort Hayes changed that and got me excited about going to school again,” he added. “High school can be a really intense time,” he said. “But it's also when a lot of big decisions are made. I hope to be a positive influence in that decision-making process whenever possible.”

Several years ago, Takacs was invited to participate in an alumni gallery exhibition by Teresa Weidenbusch, former art instructor and gallery director at the Shot Tower Gallery. Takacs showcased photos from his personal collection, including a large-format camera he built from scratch, using his own two hands. It was there that he met Corrie Witt, former photography teacher at Fort Hayes.

“During his demonstration, Mr. Takacs's passion for photography was palpable and highly engaging for the students,” Witt said. “He possessed a natural ability to communicate effectively with [the students] in a kind and respectful manner, fostering an environment that encouraged inquiry and participation.”

Impressed, Witt later informed Takacs about a photography instructor position opening within the District, ultimately leading him to return to the school as an educator.

“Mr. Takacs was an alumnus of this very photography program, and he spoke about its profound impact on him,” Witt said. “This personal connection indicated a unique understanding of and investment in the program's mission.”

With degrees from Oregon College of Art and Craft, and a Master of Fine Arts from The Ohio State University, Takacs is a working artist in his free time. However, it’s back in the classroom that shaped him where his passion lives and where he feels he is leaving his mark.

“This place had such a big impact on me growing up,” he said. “So the idea of having the opportunity to have a hand in helping students as well seemed pretty amazing.”

As part of the Columbus City Schools (CCS) Career-Technical Education (CTE) program, Takacs teaches four courses in the photography program, ranging from Photo Composition and Production for juniors to Digital Imaging and the Business of Arts and Communication for seniors. The curriculum is designed not just to develop creative skills, but also to prepare students for real-world careers.

“The idea is to help [the students] get jobs in the future,” he explained. “Or help them get internships or into school—prepare them with actual, real-life knowledge and skills.”

Maddox Veisz, a junior at Columbus Online Academy, takes advantage of Takacs’ CTE program and says that the photography teacher has already made a difference in his life.

“He’s a really good teacher,” Veisz said. “He creates a very open, lighthearted work environment. He does a great job giving each kid their own time if they need certain help. He's really good about going and reaching out to them and helping them with individual things.”

Veisz, whose photo is featured in this article, has enjoyed the class so much that it has impacted his future plans.

“I had almost no experience with photography, and now I’m thinking about next year actually starting to do it professionally,” Veisz exclaimed. “This summer, I’m going to save up for equipment.”

There’s something poetic about Takacs teaching just across the hall from his old classroom. He still remembers the darkroom, the sense of discovery, the encouragement from mentors and CCS educators like Rick Kocks and Ed Elberfeld. Now, he's the one guiding students through their first portfolios, their first breakthroughs.

“I love it when students get excited about something,” he said. “There are moments where you can actually see the gears spinning and connections being made, and that’s a nice thing.”

Celia Kundishora, junior at Centennial High School, takes classes at Fort Hayes and Columbus State Community College. She echoes Veisz’s appreciation for the creativity that is encouraged and supported in Takacs’ class.

“We have our own personal projects, which I really like,” Kundishora said. “He lets us choose a subject that we can focus on for the whole year. That's probably my favorite part of the class because I can do something that other people aren't doing while still learning the same things.”

What makes CTE programs at schools like Fort Hayes special, he said, is the way they integrate hands-on experience with professional growth.

“One of the great things about CTE programs is this opportunity to provide real-world experience,” he said. “You don’t often get that in a normal high school classroom.”

Takacs also draws on a deep network of creative professionals, many of them fellow Fort Hayes alumni, to inspire and connect his students with future opportunities. He sees his role as not just a teacher, but a facilitator of possibility.

“There’s a really good legacy with this program,” he said. “There are a lot of talented, working photographers who’ve come out of here, and the idea of being part of continuing that legacy is exciting.”

This Teacher Appreciation Week, Fort Hayes Career Center celebrates not only an outstanding educator, but a living legacy—one who proves that sometimes, the best way forward is by returning to where it all began.

To learn more about Stephen Takacs, visit www.stephentakacs.com. Are you interested in making an impact in the life of Fort Hayes photography students? Contact Takacs at stakacs@columbus.k12.oh.us to learn more about how you can get involved with supporting #OurCCS students.