From the moment my parents handed me my Pink VTech Kidizoom digital camera I knew that photography was my passion. Experimenting with the camera’s funky filters and frames, I would run around the house and stop others just so I could get a photo of them. However, my true interest in photography began on my fifth-grade trip to Washington D.C. My parents had handed me a point-and-shoot Nikon so I could take photos at the capital and the various museums I would visit. Through the years I have slowly upgraded; saving each penny for my current camera, the mirrorless Canon R. My dedication to photography has grown immensely, leading me to become a photographer for my middle school paper and eventually leading me to become the Photo Editor and eventually Editor-in-Cheif for The Muse, my current publication, where I would learn the true intricacies of a camera and a publication. 

 

As Photo Editor my junior year, my days transformed into late nights editing photos just for pleasure. Cropping a photo the perfect way has never been so satisfying. Running around campus, and frantically clicking in a new SD card after the last one got full has added to my experience as a photographer this year– making me conscious of the importance of always being prepared.

 

I have been able to produce multiple pieces of content while experimenting with new angles, lighting, framing, cameras, lenses, subjects, and editing software. Photography has allowed me to advance my eye for good photography and gain experience in the field. I have pushed myself beyond my camera's auto mode and have never stopped learning new tricks to maneuver it in manual. I have been able to take the foundation I have built on scholastic media and continue to grow and try new things. 

 

I have learned as a student journalist the importance of dispersing information to the public and putting in the time and effort necessary to create quality content. This is a statement I continue to hold myself by and this past year I aimed to take on different assignments and go out of my comfort zone. I have seen how a single photo can tell a powerful story.

 

Beginning from my childhood, I have built a passion for the amazing world of publications and journalism because that work can impact the community, but has also contributed to my personal growth. Each Photoshop and Lightroom file, each camera lens, each caption I have written, and each friendship and mentor I have had has led me to continue pursuing journalism on The Muse staff.

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When I found out that I became Editor-in-Chief alongside my best friend I was so excited to take on the challenge and branch out from focusing on photography to learning aspects about each section. Mariana and I have worked together to create an inclusive, fun, and productive environment on The Muse. One of my favorite parts of The Muse is building close relationships with everyone on the staff and truly becoming a united family. After seeing all of the staff's work combined in the first and second issue, I am so excited to see what we all accomplish together for the rest.