About Me

I started dancing while at daycare at age two.  Dance quickly became my passion.  I just finished my 16th year of studio dance and I also competed as a member of my high school’s varsity dance team for five years and the fall performance team for four years.  I first became interested in photography during a trip to Africa when I was 13.  While visiting Kruger National Park, I took a photo of a monkey holding her baby.  The photo turned out really cool and showed the monkey hidden in the trees.  Several people complimented me on that photo and I became the designated family photographer. 

Soon I was taking photos of my cats and my sister and during trips to Hawaii and NYC.  I entered a few photos into the Minnesota State Fair competition and won several awards.  I also did very well in my school’s only two photography classes.  I didn’t think there were any other photography options available to me until I came across a description for the Honors Mentor Connection in the Arts.  I contacted the instructor and we discussed possibilities focused on photography or dance.   I had a hard time choosing between the two and I realized that I could combine both passions with a focus on dance photography.  

I spent my senior year exploring dance photography:  interviewing professionals, reading articles, working with mentors, taking classes and practicing.  The culmination of this course was conducting my own studio and outdoor photo shoots with dance models and putting together this guide for dancers. 

The skills and experience I gained through the Honors Mentor Connection will undoubtedly help to prepare me for college and a future career in photography.  I am excited to start that journey next year at Syracuse University with the opportunity to continue to pursue both of my passions as a member of the Syracuse University Dance Team and as an Art Photography major in the School of Visual and Performing Arts.