My dream is to one day work for the NFL or NBA in sports photography. I plan on achieving this dream by continuing to grow through the opportunities I create for myself. I also plan on continuing to grow my portfolio and furthering my education at Ohio University in the fall. Currently, I am a freshly graduated student from Fairview High School, a small town right outside of Cleveland. Last fall, I picked up a camera and taught myself all there is to know about photography. I learned how to shoot portraits, Events, and my personal favorite, Sports. Before graduating, I was the lead photographer for the athletic department here at Fairview. As the saying goes, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” so, one day I asked my athletic director if I could be more involved, and never looked back. This opportunity has made me more connected with the community as well as my peers. It has also lead me to my biggest accomplishment in my portfolio, photographing the Cleveland Guardians down on the field. This opportunity was not possible without the help of Polaris Career Center, the trade school I attended alongside Fairview for my junior and senior years. April 26th of this year I got to shadow Russel Lee the lead photographer for the Guards. During this experience I fell in love with the thrill of being down on the dirt next to the players. Since 2024, I have run a freelance photography business specializing in senior portraits as well as community sports. This as well as my Closer position at Handels Homemade Ice Cream are my sources of income. Being my own boss at my age is a dream. However, I have the longing for more. I am self-taught, learning everything I know by trying new things and asking lots of questions along the way. My passion for photography has changed my perspective on education in general. I used to be the kid who did not know the value of an AP class or an extracurricular activity. I barely got by, watching everyone around me succeed. It was not until this past school year that I discovered this passion and needed to pursue it. I hope to look back on my work and continue to see my growth throughout the many years to come. In conclusion, I know that by continuing down the path I am on I will achieve all of the great possibilities ahead of me.

My favorite photos to take are the ones that capture the truth. These photos are filled with the raw emotion of the subject, something that you can not fake. What started as a hobby has completely taken over my life. Everything started freshman year when I picked up an old Polaroid digital camera I found in my junk drawer. I would occasionally take pictures as “keepsakes” for my friends and family. I never dreamed that it would take me as far as it has. I fell in love with the entire concept and wanted to share my images with everyone. I created an Instagram account called “madelines cam” which changed the game. People started to look forward to my photos going up after dances, games, etc. Even though it was still a side hobby, I found myself getting into editing my photos. Using applications such as Lightroom, Photoshop, and Illustrator I learned how to use during my time at Polaris Career Center. My Polaris teacher gave me a Canon eo5 camera. He gave it to me with instructions to “bring it back when you get bored”. He wanted me to completely understand the camera and know exactly how it works. Giving me this freedom has not only changed my outlook on photography and revealed a passion I never knew I had or could pursue seriously, but it has also completely transformed my grades. I now want to continue to grow and learn, finding new ways to pursue my passion every day. Today I have a website displaying all of my work for the world to see. I feel as though I have a purpose again, creatively and academically. I have never performed as well in school as I am now, and I do believe it is because I have the motivation to work hard. I want to show up for people, for their interests, and capture their love for it. People now ask me for my photos before I can even get home from the event. To me, that is the greatest gift a photographer can ask for. I can confidently say that photography has changed my life and turned me into a better student as well as a better person.

My favorite photos to take are the ones that capture the truth. These photos are filled with the raw emotion of the subject, something that you can not fake. The tears that come from a high school soccer player as the final goal is scored against them ending their season. Volleyball’s senior night and the families that celebrate their loved ones. The overwhelming excitement brought by winning a playoff game. These are all my favorite types of photos to take. Not because there was a cool catch or skill done, but because of the hugs and the faces people make when they are truly happy. Those make for the best photos in my opinion. What started as a hobby has completely taken over my life. Everything started freshman year when I picked up an old Polaroid digital camera I found in my junk drawer. I would occasionally take pictures as “keepsakes” for my friends and family. I never dreamed that it would take me as far as it has. I fell in love with the entire concept and wanted to share my images with everyone. I created an Instagram account called “madelines cam” which changed the game. People started to look forward to my photos going up after dances, games, etc. Even though it was still a side hobby, I found myself getting into editing my photos. Using applications such as Lightroom, Photoshop, and Illustrator that I learned how to use during my time at Polaris Career Center. During this time in my school life, I felt like I was a background character. I got fine grades, but I never excelled compared to my peers. This caused me to dread school and push aside my work. I was unmotivated and wanted to quit. I felt this way until senior year, when my Polaris teacher gave me a Canon eo5 camera. He gave it to me with instructions to “bring it back when you get bored”. He wanted me to completely understand the camera and know exactly how it works. Giving me this freedom has not only changed my outlook on photography and revealed a passion I never knew I had or could pursue seriously, but it has also completely transformed my grades. I now want to continue to grow and learn, finding new ways to pursue my passion every day. Today I have a website displaying all of my work for the world to see. I feel as though I have a purpose again, creatively and academically. I have never performed as well in school as I am now, and I do believe it is because I have the motivation to work hard. I want to show up for people, for their interests, and capture their love for it. People now ask me for my photos before I can even get home from the event. To me, that is the greatest gift a photographer can ask for. I can confidently say that photography has changed my life and turned me into a better student as well as a better person.