IMITATING PEOPLE AROUND ME
Over the past year, as a photography student, I have learned and met so many different people in our department. Every connection was so special, so for this project, I wanted to imitate people around me who have affected me the most recently and helped me grow so much as a person and a photographer. Through this project, I wanted to share the primary locations where I interact most with them and how they work in the workplace. Everyone has a different way of creating art, and every way was so unique and personally very special to me.
Lonnie Graham
American fine art photographer, professor, installation artist, and cultural activist.
Lonnie is the one and only professor I have been following throughout college. Lonnie’s classes are based on critiques. He loves sharing and showing us different artists based on the art that we are interested in creating or passionate about. He has a very dynamic facial impression to express his thoughts and feelings with our work. He always wants us to experience more and not to be scared to try things. Not hesitating is something I have been working on to improve and have learned through Lonnie. I love how he always wants me to just go and do it.
Natasha Kravchenko
Grad Student & Head of Photo Interns
I met Natasha through one of my photo classes last year. She was one of the first graduate students I got close with through modeling for her for her projects. We have continuously worked together since summer with different projects through Stephanie’s internship. Since I did not have that much studio experience before this year, she has helped me to understand the basics. I have learned so much about studio lightings through working with her and now I have confidence in working in studio. She is also one of the most hardest worker I know so I always get motivated and inspired to do more photoshoots through her.
Tess Dubler
A&A Multimedia Internship Coordinator & Digital Assets Manager
I met Tess through Stephanie's multimedia course. She graduated last May and has been working as a part-time Communication Intern. Recently, she became a staff member. Since I started working as Stephanie’s intern last summer, she has always been supportive and welcoming to the office.
Before I met her, I only had access to our main studio, but now I am able to work in other studios with different equipment. She always encourages me to try different equipment in the studio.
Keith is my studio photography course professor. Even though, studio photography was something I wanted to worked on and improve the most but I did not had a chance to take this courses until this year. I was so intimidated by everything and I was so scared about not being good enough in the studio course as a 5th year student. I’ve always wanted to do something better so it took little longer than others but he always encouraged me to try more and gave me extra time to work and experience different lightings. I have learned so much about studio lighting through Keith and also photoshop skills.
Everyone has encouraged and inspired me in different environments and ways.
Our everyday life is always affected by the people around us.
My mom said, “People around you tell what kind of person you are and
what kind of interest you have.” This word has primarily inspired me to do this project because
I have recently been thinking about people around me and how much I appreciate them for
always encouraging me. Before each photoshoot, I studied each person and how they interacted with others, and I worked in the location where I interacted with them the most.