Samhara Szesycki, a first-year photography student, has been surrounded by the arts since birth.
“I’ve always been around creativity,” Szesycki said. “My mom loves to draw and my dad is a photographer.”
While Szesycki was exposed to photography at an early age, she originally pursued a career in film as a production assistant.
“I took a two-month course that taught me the basics of film and thought that that was what I wanted to do,” she said.
While Szesycki said she enjoyed the course, finding a job in the film industry was difficult.
She decided to change paths after advice from her father.
“My dad was the reason I got into the photography program,” Szesycki said. “He said I had an eye for photography and I was like ‘Okay, I'll try it out.’”
Which is exactly what she did.
While Szesycki faced hurdles upon starting the program, she found her footing.
“The first semester was a little daunting, but I’ve been enjoying the second semester,” she said.
Szesycki said photography has helped her develop her self-esteem.
“I’m a shy person so I feel like photography has helped me be more confident,” she said.
Szesycki’s future looks bright as she has developed a love for product and commercial photography.
She is grateful for a change in career paths as it led her to where she needed to be.
“I feel like this program has helped me find myself,” Szesycki said.
