Art has taught me not to let the stress consume me because it will end sooner or later, but rather to focus on the positive outcomes of motivation, drive, and creativity. As a photographer, I strive to capture moments in time that spark an emotion for the viewer, including personal experiences of mine that I can look back on with happiness or humor. Art has always been an outlet for me to relieve stress when things just don’t seem to go right. I have always been able to create a piece of art to express my feelings, especially when I was not able to verbalize them. My greatest reward from making artwork is the sense of accomplishment and pride after the compositions are complete. It immediately eliminates any stress that I was previously overwhelmed with. My goals to succeed in art correlates to my goals to succeed in life. Junior year has made me realize that going forward, I need to put my best effort in everything I do because it will pay off in the long run. It is most important to me that I can set my mind to something and succeed in it. My mom has always been my role model and has influenced me to be the best I can be. Her strength and positivity radiates towards me and my artwork. She encouraged me to never give up, and art is what helps me get through the rough patches. I hope to photograph images that make an interesting composition and that catch the viewer’s eye to keep them intrigued. I learned that photography is taking something ordinary and making it unique. The shoots I have done throughout the year are portrayed differently than the normal eye would ever see it.