PHOTOJOURNALISM
Through photojournalism, I capture moments that resonate with our community, adding a layer of authenticity and emotion to each story. Thoughtful photography not only enhances storytelling but also draws readers in, making complex narratives more impactful.
ON HIS SHOULDERS
A child takes his father's glasses while sitting on his shoulders at the city of Cupertino's celebration for Holi, the Hindu festival of spring, colors and love. At the festival, community members of all ages and ethnic backgrounds celebrated by throwing colored powder at each other.
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This was my first time attending a Holi celebration. I covered my camera in Saran wrap to protect it from the powder, and as soon as I arrived, I knew I had to do my best to capture the festive, inclusive atmosphere. That turned out more challenging than I'd expected because the people and powder moved so quickly, but the bright sunlight let me use an extremely fast shutter speed. Though I took some beautiful photographs of powder suspended in midair and children playing with each other, the childish innocence and sheer joy captured in this shot ultimately made it my favorite.
THE FORGE
Blacksmith Lester Markarian wraps up his demonstration at the restored Baer Blacksmith Shop by clipping his pliers together to secure the heated steel, holding it in place for his next step.
This forging demonstration was a niche community event that most people at school weren't aware of, despite the Blacksmith Shop's connections to our city's history and the free blacksmithing classes they offer. For this shot, the dark lighting casts Markarian into shadow while emphasizing light from the windows and his forge, capturing the tenacity that blacksmithing requires. I was inspired by environmental portraits of laborers from the industrial era.
POOL PLUNGE
Bright sunlight and splashing water created the perfect environment for candid photography. I aimed to capture the pure joy of Cupertino residents and their dogs, which meant not only freezing action—like dogs leaping into the pool—but also preserving the facial expressions that told the story of the day.
VARSITY BASKETBALL
Covering this game required intense focus and quick reflexes. Sports photography demands anticipation—predicting the players’ movements to capture pivotal plays. In this game, I concentrated on freezing dynamic action while also conveying the intensity on each player’s face. Balancing fast shutter speeds with strategic angles allowed me to create powerful, storytelling images that brought the excitement of the game to life.
HAUNTED GRAVEYARD
Members of MVHS choir blow bubbles during the their 2023 Debut Concert, creating a whimsical mood to present their final song of the night: "Haunted Graveyard."
Capturing this moment required patience and precise timing. I focused on freezing the delicate movement of the bubbles, contrasting their lightness against the performers’ concentrated expressions. The vibrant purple blazers and scattered bubbles created a whimsical atmosphere that perfectly matched the energy of the performance. My goal was to encapsulate not just the event itself, but the playful spirit and shared experience of the performers and audience alike.