Tell us about yourself!

I am a current freshman (class of 2024) at Emory University from Lakeville, Minnesota, which is approximately 30 minutes south of Minneapolis/St. Paul. I am on the pre-BBA track and plan on studying finance if I get into the business school. Mostly, I’ve focused on aviation photography but found other ways to still be involved in photography, as I don’t have easy access to get to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

 

How did you get into photography? When did you first start? 

I got into photography ever since I went on my first vacation with my tablet at age eleven. I thought that the landscape and nature around me was worth capturing and keeping as a visual memory. I currently continue to take photos when I visit new places and have expanded to aviation photography just five years ago.

 

Where do you get your inspiration?

I have been much more focused on aviation photography, as I’ve been interested in capturing photos of airliners and aircraft from all over the world. As for inspiration, I get it from seeing photos of aircraft taken by other people within the Instagram aviation community. 

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What do you love most about photography? What draws you to the art form?

I love that the creativity and possibilities with photography are endless and that it can attract people of all skill levels.

 

What do you think sets you apart as a photographer?

I believe that dedicating my focus towards aviation photography has set me apart as a photographer. Aviation photography is a very niche category, meaning that there aren’t that many people who focus on taking photos of planes. Also, I’ve operated an Instagram aviation account that has amassed over 5,000 followers. While I let my two closest friends back home operate it after starting classes at Emory, I will probably start taking photos of planes once I fly back home at the end of November and post my own photos on it again.

 

You described your photography as ‘Hometown Airline.’ Why is that significant to you and your work?

Hometown Airline is the name of my work because Delta Air Lines is headquartered in Atlanta and their second biggest hub is in Minneapolis/St. Paul. It is significant to me because Delta is pretty much the only airline I fly, and it has been one of the reasons why I got into aviation photography in the first place. It put Minneapolis on the international map after they merged with Northwest Airlines back in 2010. 

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How do you stay involved in your art as a student at Emory?

As of right now, I am still trying to figure out how to continue with aviation photography as an Emory student. However, I’ve been taking more photos of sites my friends and I have explored, such as the Georgia Aquarium and Ponce City Market, so I am still able to practice photography even if it’s not aviation. 

 

What message do you hope people will take away from your photography?

A message that I hope people will take away from my photography is to always be willing to try new types of photography, and try to find a specific niche to focus on if desired. When I was younger, I felt self-conscious about taking photos of airplanes because I thought it would be perceived as weird. However, my interest and newfound passion for aviation allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and proudly show off my work and Instagram account to my fellow peers.

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Is there anything else you wish to share about yourself as a photographer?

Photography can lead to a lot more than just learning how to take quality photos. If you want to go further and expand your reach, I highly recommend marketing your photos on Instagram through posting quality photos, using appropriate hashtags, focusing on one area, and connecting with other members within the photography community. Being an Instagram aviation photographer allowed me to meet a lot of other fellow aviation photographers and enthusiasts all over the world, entertain myself during airport layovers, network with some aviation professionals like an Air Traffic Controller in Minneapolis, and a lot more.