“Have a job that you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” I remember my high school photography teacher asking if I was going to major in something related to design/photography and I laughed thinking “I wish”. I have always been intrigued by art but quickly I learned that photography was my outlet. In a Photo One course, I learned the basic skills of a camera. I took AP Photo the following year and developed my own style. I began using the darkroom and Photoshop. I didn’t want to leave that class because it was my reassurance that I was going to continue my work. I never thought I could make my passion into a career too, which is why going into college, I had no major and no set plan. Thankfully, I found a way to peruse my photography right on campus. I was working as the Assistant Photo Editor only a few weeks after arriving at Slippery Rock. Holding this position helped me declare my major as Communications, Emerging Technology and Multimedia. I finally began to see that I could have a future doing what makes me happy. Every week I am truly amazed to see that my photos are being printed and seen by others. I have been lucky enough to win many awards through The Rocket and I am so grateful to have been able to be a part of this organization. I am coming into my third year on staff, now as the head Photo Editor and I couldn’t be more excited to see what this upcoming year brings.
Over the years, I’ve learned that you don’t need a fancy camera to be a photographer; all you need a love for it.
