At the age of 21, we are eagerly itching for experience. We hurry up just so we can wait around for someone’s approval. Our naive views of reality produce distorted expectations that leave us hopelessly waiting, desperate to succeed. As we enter our twenties, our vulnerable minds come to flourish through enduring inevitable pain, failure, and ultimately happiness. Because in the end, we all are only striving to locate a sensation of satisfaction.

Certain photographers such as Vivian Maier, Lise Sarfati, and Sally Mann have been important inspirations to me. I was particularly moved by Mann’s At Twelve Series about children becoming teenagers--as well as Immediate Family, an intimate portrait of her own children as they progressed from youth to adulthood. I created my own version of a “coming-of-age” themed portfolio. At Twenty-One depicts that special time when college students are on the cusp of becoming adults and exploring issues of identity, gender, and agency in the world. All photographs are scanned negatives from 35mm black and white film.

My Photography 1 final project focuses on capturing the architecture of the image by using 35mm black & white film. The self-portrait (1st image), portraiture of other people, and the inside and outside of buildings expresses the different angles and lighting that accentuates and defines structure of life.