I’ve been fascinated with Chautauqua and its ability to function as a small American utopia. It’s easy to walk around and not think about the many people it takes to keep this community running smoothly. A high concentration of the guests at Chautauqua pass through the Athenaeum Hotel, whether to sit on its iconic porch, eat dinner or spend the night. It’s a monster of a hotel, built in 1881. Cameron Abbey-Mott — and her approximately 15 other co-workers in the housekeeping staff — is nearly invisible to guests but is still integral to keeping this place functioning. —Caitie McMekin
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- Bud and Pat Brown met as librarians working at the Robbins Library in Arlington, Massachusetts. They have been married for 49 years and for the last nine years they have spent their summers as the hosts of the Baptist House. The first time Pat came to Chautauqua in 1977 she cried because she didn’t know anyone, but when Bud came to pick her up a week later she cried because she didn’t want to leave. When I first met Pat and Bud, I was attracted to their incredible warmth and the sense of belonging they create with their hospitality. —Ruby Wallau
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- Two Lithuanian students chat between waiting on customers during dinnertime at the Tally-Ho Hotel & Restaurant. The restaurant has been hosting Lithuanian students for more than a decade. Although it is not officially part of the Institution, the Tally-Ho is a Chautauquan tradition, owned by the Streeter family since 1939, known for its buffets of salmon, roast beef and other family-favorite classics. —Joshua Boucher
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- John Ford, a features reporter at the Daily, scratches his forehead while brainstorming ideas for a future article. John was kind enough to let me tag along with him on his many interviews where I was able to watch and learn from him. My presentation will be based on images of people and places that have shaped my experience here at Chautauqua. —Saalik Khan
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- Cameron Abbey-Mott, 17, of Westfield, New York changes the sheets in a room in the Athenaeum on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015. Cameron works on the housekeeping staff in the hotel along with approximately 30 other workers. Over the past two months I’ve been fascinated with Chautauqua and its ability to function as a small American utopia. It’s easy to walk around and not think about the many people it takes, many of whom are seasonal workers, to keep this community running smoothly for the summer. A high concentration of the guests at Chautauqua pass through the Athenaeum, whether to sit on its iconic porch, eat dinner in the Heirloom, or spend the night in a room. It’s a monster of a hotel, built in 1881, and for the most part not much of it has changed since then. Cameron Abbey-Mott is nearly invisible to guests but is still integral to keeping this place functioning.
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- Nattily Mckissick rides her bike through Bestor Plaza with her sister Peytynn before going home for the evening. After stepping onto the grounds of Chautauqua, I was immediately struck by its beauty. Not long after, I was equally taken by its kind and generous people. This community has certainly been like no other I’ve experienced. The image above is a part of my on-going series featuring the people and places that I’ve encountered this summer. As a photographer I’ve had the unique opportunity of being an observer and a participant. In this series I want viewers to experience Chautauqua through my eyes. —Bria Granville
You have seen them. Toting their cameras, rushing from venue to venue, trying to blend in at the Amphitheater and the Hall of Philosophy. This year, The Chautauquan Daily photography and multimedia interns hail from every corner of the country. They bring fresh eyes and a new perspective to the Institution. Today, they will share their experiences and your summer stories.
Photojournalism is a calling. It is a competitive and difficult career path to navigate. The hours are long and every day there are obstacles to overcome. We do it because we are curious and have a strong desire to connect our viewers to the human experience. Thank you for opening up your hearts and homes to us.
—Martha Rial, Daily Photography Coach
The Chautauquan Daily 
