This photograph is part of a larger photojournalism project that involved doorways as part of an investigation into how COVID-19 has affected local bookstores. Not all the doorways that I photographed are in bookstores, but all doorways hold significance to the project because books are the doorways to both other worlds and a better understanding of our own. Doorways have a distinct sense of personality and possibility. This doorway is situated in the Queen Anne neighborhood. The detail in the border around the door, the brick, and the heavy looking wood doors all bring a sense of history and graceful age. I would personally pair this doorway with a historical fiction book or a contemplative autobiography. The framing of the doorway is important because I want you to feel the possibility of the door. You stand there, brass handle in front of you. What lays behind the door? Do you open it? Or do you move on?

This photo is of a plant I found in Maui, Hawaii. I chose it to be my final print since I love the rich tone variation of the whole photo, especially in the white leaves in the center. I feel that this photograph is also reflective of my work as a whole, since tonality and shapes are things that I value in my photography. I’ve never seen photography as something that should be symbolic. As a logical person, I seek out patterns and balance. So, I like to make my photos satisfying to look at, and think I’ve really achieved that with the different leaf shapes and colors.

My image, entitled “진나는 한복 입습니다 [Jinnah wears Hanbok]” depicts my sister, Ruby, putting on lipstick in the mirror while in her traditional Korean dress (which is called a Hanbok).

This artwork was inspired by my culture and my family. It is also inspired by my sister who encourages me to be my most authentic and artistic self every day. A lot of my photography features her at the center. She is a big part of my life so it is only natural for that to reflect in my artwork.

That powerful feeling that you get when you put on a beautiful outfit and some dazzling makeup is what I was trying to capture. That moment when you feel like everything around you fades and you are in the spotlight. That is the feeling you are witnessing. The message I am trying to communicate is that art comes from life, inspiration comes from life, and I am proud of my family and my culture.

These days there seems to be something more to the average things in life. The beautiful things seem incredible and intense, the scary things are even more frightening. I suppose that’s what happens when you stare at bedroom walls and computer screens for the better part of two years. I’ve missed looking at the world as I have in this photograph. I tried to focus on the natural patterns and textures that the Earth has created. By exploring the detail rather than the figure as a whole I am gifted a new perspective that challenges the way our eyes perceive these seemingly average objects. A perspective I never knew a simple tree could give.

My final image is of my younger cousin who I consider a sibling. It's one of the only photos that I was actually able to process where he’s not moving because he’s so energetic and full of life. I now realize the saying time flies by when you’re having fun is very much accurate. He was born right in the beginning of the pandemic and he’s almost 3 now. My goal after youth and focus is to gain more confidence to take candid photos. I'm usually a little bit hesitant when I take candid photos because I need to find the right environment where I feel comfortable and where I think others might be comfortable to have their photos taken. I have discovered my love for this community and photography. I enjoy being in a space where I feel like I am given the freedom and the space to be creative. I’m grateful for my subject, which is my cousin Zuriel, the space/classroom where I’m able to connect with the peers and staff.

This image is of a Russian Tortoise named Mozzarella… I named him Mozzarella because when he tucks his legs in I thought he looked like a Mozzarella log! I rescued him from Northwest Tortoise Rescue.

Mozzarella inspired me to take this photo because he is very important to me. Mozzarella is important to me because he is my companion and I try to show warmth and comfort as an emotion in this photo. He helps me cope with hard feelings.

I learned that a new photo doesn’t need to be 100% in focus to be a good photo. It’s how you feel about it! I believe this image is what I imagined my final piece would be because I wanted to showcase something that has a lot of meaning to me and reminds me of something I love. I think this photograph will inspire me to photograph more wildlife and capture images that carry meaning.