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.
Image entitled "Tigers In The Jungle" by Samhara Szeszycki. Photo credit: Samhara Szeszycki
“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.