Hey there,
I am an art photography major in the transmedia department of VPA. I transferred in from psychology a little over a year ago and have loved it ever since. Photography has given me the ability to truly find my place at Syracuse. It can be the ultimate ego booster or it can be the harsh critique needed to push your work to the next level. In this, I have found myself becoming more open minded to constructive criticism, more motivated to accomplish my photographic goals than ever before and slowly but surely becoming an expert on what makes art "art." It is more than just a pretty sunset or a nice portrait of your mom, it is premeditating an entire image to not only be aesthetically pleasing but also have a deeper meaning, to make a statement and to change the world. Photographers are said to be relentless beings only out to capture the moment at any cost, and yes this can be very true, I will do whatever it takes to get my image, but we do have hearts (despite popular belief). In my life I would love nothing more than for my photos to have an impact of change on the conditions in which animals live under in slaughterhouses, for something I photograph to incite more women's health rights, or to help progress change in third world countries. These are very ambitious goals but goals none the less. I think that Syracuse, the professors I've met here and especially my classmates will help me most of all in achieving what I hope to achieve.
-mary kate
