Get to Know the Photographer: Sophia Carino

Hello! I am Sophia, I am a 1st year premed student. I have been baking at least one cake or banana bread loaf every week since quarantine started.

---

Why (and when) did you become interested in photography?

I started off in eighth grade by taking action shots, candid photos, and group photos for my high school’s yearbook. Then I really got into portrait photography my junior year when I learned how to take senior portraits. I love portrait photography because I like to explore a composition that sustains a balance between the model and their surroundings. So much can be expressed through the human body and face.

Where do you find inspiration?

At first, I found inspiration through professional photographers on Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube when I was first learning because I wanted to know how to do certain effects with the camera. But now that it has been a few years, I like to listen to music and look at album covers as inspiration for the type of feeling I want to convey in my photos.

What cameras/equipment do you like using?

My main camera is a Nikon D750 and my favorite lens is my Nikon 50mm f/1.8. This lens is best for portrait photography because it can capture a lot of depth and do that cool bokeh light effect. Also, I recently got a Minolta X-700 film camera and started learning how to shoot and develop film.

What do you like to photograph?

I love photographing people mostly, but sometimes I also shoot street, urban, landscape and travel photography (although because of the pandemic I will not be doing the last one any time soon). Honestly, I want to try all types of photography when the opportunity presents itself. I still have a lot to learn!

What advice do you have for other photographers?

You do not need crazy camera equipment to begin shooting. Shooting photography is more about exploring the composition of a photo. Like in painting, where you decide what can be seen within the frame of your canvas, you decide what can be seen within the frame of your lens. Some of my favorite photos were from when I first started out and I did not have the equipment I have now. When you do decide to buy a camera for your photography, there are so many free online resources that can help you learn how to use it.

MODA Designer Profile: Carolyn Johansen

Carolyn Johansen is a First-Year undergraduate, who considers majoring in Economics or Chemistry - or both. In addition to designing outfits for this year’s MODA Fashion Show, Carolyn also enjoys playing flute in the wind ensemble.

In order to discuss Carolyn’s work for the upcoming MODA Fashion Show, we met over coffee to discuss her artistic style and inspiration.

What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

A lot of my inspiration comes from things being comfortable and practical, which I know isn’t very exciting, but I really thought about things that were missing from my own wardrobe, that I wanted, and had just never gotten around to making. So for this show, I’ve been focusing on designs that people could wear to class or around Chicago - just because that’s where my head has been lately. 

This @beautyspock image was another inspiration for Carolyn’s collection: “I really loved this image because of the bold print of the jacket. The silhouette is very classic, but the print makes it look modern and trendy, which is something I am trying to capture in my collection.”

“So for this show, I’ve been focusing on designs that people could wear to class or around Chicago - just because that’s where my head has been lately. ”

— Carolyn Johansen

Original sketches of Carolyn’s collection.

Have you ever done fashion design work before? 

I’ve loved to sew for years. I was seven when I first started (I was in second grade). And since then, I have sewn many projects, from my prom dress to my high school graduation dress. 

I have also taken some courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. That was my introduction to formal fashion design. Before that, I just thought of items I wanted to make and I made them. So those courses taught me to make more mature fashion designs, as opposed to home sewing projects.

Carolyn (left) stands next to her friend Grace at their Senior Prom. Carolyn wears the dress she created for the occasion.

What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

I have to say that the most challenging aspect has been designing things for me that aren’t actually for me. I’m used to making clothing adjustments for myself. But I can’t call my models up and have them try my outfits on within 20 minutes. It’s more of a process. But that has been a great learning experience, for me to better understand how the fashion industry really works. 

“It’s more of a process. But that has been a great learning experience, for me to better understand how the fashion industry really works. ”

— Carolyn Johansen

Something that I’ve really enjoyed so far is being able to connect with people across campus through MODA. I have a friend who is a model, and it’s been really fun to talk to her throughout the process and to get her opinion. She’ll be modeling one of my designs. I’m going to make her a jumpsuit, which will be trendy and cool. She can also put a jacket on with the jumpsuit, and wear it to dinner with her parents, so the look will be versatile. And just having that open communication with MODA participants isn’t something I’ve had in the past, because it was always just me.

What are you looking forward to most about the show?

I don’t know. I think I’m just excited for the whole thing. It’s going to be very different from anything I’ve ever done or experienced before, so it’s going to be really cool to see how it all comes together.

Who do you have in mind when you’re designing?

I’ll admit it’s usually me, because I focus on my experiences. I also think about my sister. We have always sewn together, and I reach out to her for guidance and advice. We once made First Communion dresses out of wedding dresses, for some family friends. It was a really fun project - and working together also alleviated the stress of cutting up people’s old wedding dresses. My sister and I have also made curtains for my mom. So we work together and give each other feedback. And she’s excited and curious to watch me go through this design process on campus.

“We once made First Communion dresses out of wedding dresses, for some family friends. It was a really fun project - and working together also alleviated the stress of cutting up people’s old wedding dresses. ”

— Carolyn Johansen

In this high school graduation photo, Carolyn (left) stands next to her sister. Carolyn wears the dress that she made for graduation.

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

Advice I would give to myself in general is to challenge myself. There are things that I sometimes brush off as too challenging, but I’m trying to approach those challenges for MODA - which makes things more interesting.

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process?

I like it because it’s so custom and I have so much freedom to do what I want. When I was younger, I couldn’t always find the clothing I wanted. So, by creating pieces for myself, I can plan and actually make my ideas happen. 

“So, by creating pieces for myself, I can plan and actually make my ideas happen. ”

— Carolyn Johansen

MODA Designer Profile: David Schalop

David Schalop is a 2nd-Year undergraduate, double majoring in Business Economics and Art History. He is a film photographer, whose work influences his fashion designs and how how he sees the world. David is also part of the Smart Student Advisory Committee.

In order to discuss David’s work for the upcoming MODA Fashion Show, we met over coffee to discuss his artistic style and inspiration.

What are some sources of inspiration for your collection?

My first inspiration is definitely the weather and the seasons. That was my jumping off point for my fashion designs. I drew inspiration from how people’s dress changes, over the course of the year. In warmer seasons, people wear lighter colors and materials. And then, in colder seasons, people wear darker colors and heavier layers. Spring and summer are somewhere in between these two extremes. And these seasonal changes in attire are more defined at UChicago than at other schools, which is something I wanted to highlight in my designs.

Sketches of David's Fashion Designs

Sketches of David's Fashion Designs

Sketches of David's Fashion Designs

Sketches of David's Fashion Designs

I’ve also been inspired by some of my favorite artists. Hiroshi Sugimoto is a photographer who I really like. He shoots black and white photography. And, like him, I shoot mainly black and white film, but I’m also really interested in color. So while my designs tend to be monochromatic, one of my designs has a pop of color. Geometric shapes and patterns are also important to me, and Josef Albers is an inspiration for that.

“Uneven Terrain.” An Original Photograph by David.

Have you ever done fashion design work before?

Never. Before participating in the MODA Fashion Show, I’d never made anything. So this is really the beginning. Before this experience, I’d only seen sewing machines as old decorations, which weren’t being used. So this is a new experience for me.

What are some of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of the process?

I think the most challenging thing about making clothing is that you have to visualize something in 3D, but when you’re putting fabric through the sewing machine, it’s 2D. And the space that you leave between the fabric is where the body goes. So it’s often difficult to imagine how to transition from 2D to 3D pieces. And while this process has been an interesting challenge, no mistake is unfixable. Sometimes you sew something and realize afterwards that the pieces don’t fit - but you can always take the stitches out.

“...no mistake is unfixable. Sometimes you sew something and realize afterwards that the pieces don’t fit - but you can always take the stitches out.”

— David Schalop

I think we live in a world where people are very removed from the production of things. I’m in this art history class right now where people had to bring in objects of value to them. No one out of 25 people brought an item that they had personally created. We live in a disposable world. And so I want to create something with my own hands. And hopefully it will last for a long time. That’s an inspiration for my work. 

A Sneak Peek of one of David’s Creations for this year’s MODA Fashion Show…

“We live in a disposable world. And so I want to create something with my own hands. And hopefully it will last for a long time.”

— David Schalop

What are you looking forward to most about the show?

Seeing my friends walk. The models that I picked are three of my good friends. I’m excited because none of them have ever walked before, and so I think it’ll be really exciting to see them walk down the runway, with so many people watching. And to see my friends’ reactions to that will be really cool.

I’m also really excited to see them wear my designs. I’m designing three complete outfits. So each of my friends will be wearing a complete design. Two of the designs will probably have the same basic forms (a sweater and a pair of pants), but these designs will have different accents to make each outfit unique.

Who do you have in mind when you’re designing?

I don’t have any single person in mind. I make minimalist menswear with vintage accents and elements, because that’s my personal style right now. And I call my style menswear, even though a woman will be modeling one of my designs. I don’t really care about the shape of the body wearing my pieces - just about the style of the clothing.

In The Green Book, Dr. Shirley’s outfit (right) serves as inspiration for David.

I’m also really interested in historical fashion. One of my favorite things in the world is watching movies with great outfits, and seeing how timeless many of these pieces are in the world today. One of my favorite movies is “The Green Book.” The Musician, Don Shirley, has really great style. His outfits are incredible. I also watch “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” which is set in New York (where I’m from). And the show has great fashion looks.

In The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Midge’s outfits also inspire David.

If you could give yourself any advice on the design process, what would you say to your younger self?

I think in general I can be a perfectionist, so I’d remind myself that this is my first time doing this, that things are going to go wrong, and that what I envisioned in the beginning is not going to be exactly what I get. As a photographer, often times you imagine the perfect shot, and you go to the dark room and print that shot and it never looks as you imagine. And sometimes it’s not what you want it to be, but other times it’s even more incredible than you could have envisioned. So when you design something, it doesn’t always turn out exactly as intended, but sometimes you end up with something even better. And even if things don’t go according to plan, I need to be okay with things changing along the way.

“As a photographer, often times you imagine the perfect shot, and you go to the dark room and print that shot and it never looks as you imagine. And sometimes it’s not what you want it to be, but other times it’s even more incredible than you could have envisioned.”

— David Schalop

“Color Warp.” An Original Photograph by David.

What’s your favorite aspect of the design process?

There are two things. The other people in my fashion design program are really cool, and I’m really interested in getting to know them. I also just love creating designs with my own hands. I haven’t created many things in the past. And, especially at UChicago, we spend a lot of time writing papers and thinking abstractly, but it’s really nice to actively create something tangible.

“And, especially at UChicago, we spend a lot of time writing papers and thinking abstractly, but it’s really nice to actively create something tangible.”

— David Schalop

Get to Know the Photographer: Grace Peguese

Grace Peguese is a third-year Public Policy major and, more importantly (sorry, UChicago), a photographer who drives a bright red 1997 Saab 900. It doesn’t have a name, but it’s so amazing it might not need one. 

As we wandered 57th Street, Dorchester, Kenwood, 58th, we started chatting, and I asked her how she got into photography. “My mom gave me my first camera,” she said, smiling, “she was kind of the family photographer.” Grace is from Michigan, and when her extended family gathered at her grandmother’s house, as they often did, her mom would move from group to group with her camera. “She’s really incredible at capturing moments.

I think that’s what all photographers are trying to do, really – capture moments.”

When she first started taking photos with a DSLR, Grace’s main focus was architecture. She still loves the beauty in buildings – as we passed a rounded, neutral-pink toned house, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a few shots in front of it – and since her junior year of high school Grace has had a freelance photography business. Her true passion, though, lies in street photography. “I don’t usually include people’s faces,” she told me as we stood in line for coffee at the Med Bakery. She doesn’t feel comfortable sharing her subjects’ identities in that way, especially if the viewer has no way of getting to know them. 

Every now and then we stopped in front of a house, fence, or set of stairs that caught Grace’s eye, and she gave me an idea of her vision for the location. We would shoot for a few moments, adjusting levels, poses, exposure, focus, and then she would click through the photos to see which had turned out well. When she was satisfied, we continued. 

Working with her was effortless. She is easy to talk to and flexible, and she welcomed my input on shots, even when it was silly (case in point: I wanted to throw leaves up over my head, and she snapped some photos as they floated down around me). 

On our way back to her car, we talked about the more technical aspects of her photography. She said that she doesn’t consciously think about the composition of her photos – the way she frames her subjects is instinctive. I told her that seemed like a pretty rare gift, but she brushed off the praise.

Grace has some advice for aspiring photographers, too:

“one of the most important things is finding and trusting your own style. It can be really easy as a young creative to try to imitate others you look up to, but I think it’s more sustainable in the long term (and also healthier for you) if you trust in your work without comparing it to that of others.”

She says that though some aspects of photography come naturally to her, it’s important for new photographers to learn the basics “like composition, lighting, how to use manual functions.” If you don’t get a solid grounding in those, “it doesn’t really matter if you have the most expensive camera and the most expensive lenses, or if you have a starter camera.”

I had one final question as we rounded the corner back to her car. “Is your mom proud of your work?” She smiled, and I saw how much the woman who inspired her love of photography means to her. “Yes,” she replied. “She is.”

Want to see more of Grace’s work? Check out her website and Instagram (@gpeg_photography)!

Get to Know the Photographer: Aisha Rubio

My name is Aisha and I’m a first year originally from Barcelona, having spent the last five years living in London. I plan on pursuing an Econ major, and potentially exploring the Urban and Environmental Studies field. You can usually find me at the gym, or immersed in some sort of content-creating endeavor–mostly filmmaking, photography, and travel journals, as well as contributing as a writer and photographer for MODA on campus!

---

Why (and when) did you become interested in photography?

Over the years, I’ve become more and more aware of how ephemeral moments are. I discovered that photography serves as the perfect gateway to congeal these moments and create a sense of timelessness.

Ever since cameras became readily available, my family has been capturing memories for generations. In our households, you’ll find shelves upon shelves of albums, packed with moments that were shot to last into the years.

My grandfather was an avid photographer himself; in fact, he carefully took care of all of his cameras until my grandmother eventually passed them on to me. I believe this is also the reason why I prefer shooting film rather than digital; it seems to be an old-school family tradition! But most importantly, having a limited number of exposures makes you pause for a second and soak in the beauty of a moment before deciding to immortalize it.

Where do you find inspiration?

I’ve often been told that I have an eye for detail. Who knows, perhaps it’s the perfectionist in me. What most inspires me is probably the Sun and how it subtly works its way into different settings. I realize that this sounds extremely obtuse, so I should probably elaborate a little bit more... By ‘Sun’ I mean natural light, and how it sheds an air of beauty into practically any subject. My favorite example is an average city alley, and how the afternoon rays piercing through the side streets or buildings suddenly make it seem so dream-like. If you’re ever walking down from North or Ratner on your right, just before the Book Store (where the UPS trucks sometimes park) and are lucky enough to catch the sunset spilling through the alley, you’ll definitely understand what I mean!

In terms of other creatives in the field, I look up to Dennis Stock (in particular his 1950s rolls of James Dean), Robert Capa (a war photographer whose shots of the Spanish Civil War are very close to my heart) and Sebastião Salgado when it comes to all-time idols. Younger photographers whom I also admire are Cole Sprouse (@colesprouse) and Damon Baker (@damon_baker) for their take on tones and contrast. You should definitely have a look at their works if you have a minute!

Which cameras do you like to use?

On a day by day basis I always have my phone on me, so if anything catches my eye I will often use it to snap a shot. However, if I’m travelling or going urban exploring, I’ll take my grandfather’s 1981 Canon AE-1 Program and shoot 35mm rolls, alternating between B&W for portraits and colour for landscapes. I’d love to learn how to develop my own film this year! Every now and then I like to take advantage of living at the core of modernization and use my DSLR – Canon 100D – to experiment and get creative, especially with Lightroom during the post-production process.

What do you like to photograph?

Mostly people, be they family, friends or complete strangers going about their lives. There’s something about human emotion and movement that never fails to amaze me. I’ve also been very lucky to travel all around the world, which allows me to capture all sorts of cultural diversity, architecture and landscapes. I would really like shooting in deserts and underwater when I get the chance.

Do you have a favorite shoot you've done?

I’ve done a couple of shoots mainly with close friends and family, exploring the different features of each type of camera and I love to play with location and angles. My favourites are from Botswana (wildlife) and some B&W rolls that I shot of my grandmother on a sunny Spring afternoon. Both of these were just so raw and organic. I felt like they really embodied what drew me to photography in the first place.

How do you see photography working into your life here in Chicago and in the future?

Moving to a new city is definitely going to bring out my love for shooting in urban settings and capturing diversity. I look forward to exploring different neighborhoods and learning from other photographers on campus!

---

All images courtesy of Aisha Rubio.

Get to Know the Photographer: Isaac Tannenbaum

My name is Isaac Tannenbaum, and I’m a third year double-majoring in Cinema and Media Studies and Environmental and Urban Studies, also with a minor in Architectural Studies. I’m involved with MODA, Fire Escape Films, and contribute every so often to the Maroon Arts section. Outside of classes and RSOs, I love watching movies at Doc, taking pictures (obviously, haha) developing film in the darkroom, cooking, and hanging out with my dogs when I’m home.

---

Why did you pick up photography?
I’ve always been interested in photography—I remember fighting with my siblings over our family’s DSLR on every vacation we would take until we started getting our own cameras. I guess what I’ve always been drawn to is that photography captures and makes permanent instantaneous moments; when everything is so temporary and fleeting, I feel like I just want to capture anything and everything. I fell out of photography for a while towards the end of high school and my first year here, but as I started to notice how I was photographing everything on my phone—and I really mean everything, as evident by the 15,000 pictures I have on my iPhone right now—I realized how much I missed it, and this led me back to the art and medium and I’ve stuck to it since.

Where do you draw inspiration? 

My interests mainly lie in documentary photography, in capturing the stories in individual moments. I draw a lot of inspiration from photographers like Alec Soth and Rachel Boillot, Vivian Maier and Bill Cunningham, as well as Annie Leibovitz.  

What do you like to shoot with?
I shoot mainly on 35mm film. I tend to use black-and-white film because I can develop it myself with the resources on campus here, and because I love how it forces me to play with shadow and grayscale contrast. I’m attracted to film as a medium because I really think it has a photographic quality that digital simply doesn’t achieve. It’s sort of like the grain itself creates a depth and texture by actually capturing the moment instead of trying to digitally reproduce it. There’s also something about the materiality and physicality of it, of being able to work with your hands on a photo from start to finish. And when you have something like a dusty negative or water marks, you’re reminded of that materiality and that it really is working with materials and a physical element that digital just doesn’t have, even if the blemish impairs the clearness of the image. It’s like the imperfections are part of the art itself… I just think that analog photography and film as a medium is just really cool and more interesting than digital.

“[With film photography] it’s sort of like the grain itself creates a depth and texture by actually capturing the moment instead of trying to digitally reproduce it.”

What are some of your favorite subject matter?

My first draw towards photography (and film production, for that matter) was to eventually work on crews for projects like Planet Earth, so wildlife photography is definitely one of my favorite subject matters. It’s great when I have the opportunity to travel and see the animals in person, but that’s a rarer, special occasion. I also enjoy portraiture, especially when I get to capture a really genuine, candid emotion. I like to talk with the people I’m photographing when shooting, hopefully getting them to laugh while I take the pictures, because I think that nothing posed comes close to that unaffected happiness that comes with laughing, and I love making a transient feeling like that permanent in photography.

What’s your favorite shoot you’ve ever done?

I think my favorite shoot so far was my entire trip to the Okavango Delta in Botswana because it gave me the chance to shoot wildlife photography like I’ve never done before. Like, you can’t compare the squirrels of Hyde Park (which I absolutely love shooting, and you can often see me running after squirrels with my camera) to lions on the plains and elephants by the watering holes.
Do you have a favorite location to shoot in Chicago?

I don’t really have a favorite location to shoot, but I do enjoy getting to use photography as a way of exploring different and unique areas of the city.

---

All images courtesy of Isaac Tannenbaum. View more of his work on his website or Instagram.

Get to Know the Photographer: Yamini Nambimadom

MODA Blog is lucky to work with a talented group of photographers. Today, we would like to showcase first year Yamini Nambimadom.

Tell us a little about yourself!

Well, for starters, I'm currently a first year in the College and will probably end up studying Public Policy and Comparative Human Development. I've fallen in love with a plethora of art forms because small releases of creativity are great motivators for me. On campus I've been really involved with Off Off Campus and MODA, which have provided me with incredible creative outlets as well as friendly and supportive communities. I love venturing around the city and taking in doses of culture, but I'm also just a simple fan of coffee shop hopping on campus. I love being busy and constantly active because I'm really just trying to experience and produce as much as possible with the time I have.

Why did you pick up photography?

My dad bought a DSLR when I was in middle school, and as he was learning to use it he would show me a few tips and tricks. By my sophomore year, he got a new camera and sort of stopped using the old one, so I started playing around with it, taking it everywhere with me, and capturing as much as I could. Even though moments change so rapidly, photographs don't, and that's what I like about them. They're such incredible indicators of time and of growth as well as incredible ways to turn the world into art, which is a really special experience.

Where do you draw inspiration?

I'm an avid people watcher and just a generally observant person. If something catches my eye, I take note of it and try to work it into a possible plan for a future shoot or just a quick capture for Instagram or something. I also love looking through other photographer's portfolios to get an idea of different styles, which I often draw from and experiment with into my photos to try new things.

What’s your favorite shoot you’ve ever done?

I don't know if I could call this a "shoot" but I spent a couple weeks last summer in Tanzania, where I had the incredible opportunity to be very close to a lot of beautiful wild animals. Over those two weeks, I took some of the best photos I've ever taken, including some great shots of lions, cheetahs, and leopards in the Serengeti.

As far as human models are involved, my favorite photos I've taken are probably either from a spontaneous shoot I did with Off Off I'm the fall, because the colors are breathtaking, or pictures I took for my good friend Isabella back home. She's so beautiful and her beauty radiates through the image and makes me feel really happy inside

Do you have a favorite location to go to shoot in Chicago?

Not yet! I'm new around these parts, so I've been trying to seek out new places every time I shoot, with the hopes that eventually I'll end up falling in love with a couple.

To see more of her work, check out her portfolio here!

All images courtesy of Yamini Nambimadom

Get to Know the Photographer: Jaire Byers

MODA Blog is lucky to work with a talented group of photographers. Today, we would like to showcase first year Jaire Byers who has taken photos for Quad Style and Campus Coffee Spots!

Tell us a little about yourself!

I always hate this question, to be honest. It's a frightening test of how modest or how self-assured you are, and I never really know which side I lean towards. I guess we can start with that: I'm not good at talking about myself on cue, so I'll let other people do the talking. I'm an INFJ and a Libra—figure out the rest.

Why did you pick up photography?

This is corny, but I think photography picked me up. I always admired photographers since I was a kid, and I struggled in trying to become one, feel like one. I eventually gave up. And, it wasn't until I joined my high school's yearbook staff during my senior year that I realized that all I needed to do to become a photographer is to start looking at the world like a journalist does—like every person and every place is waiting to share their story. Photography taught me how to do that.

Where do you draw inspiration?

I'm definitely most inspired by my photographer peers (shout-out to my friends Gabe Barrón and Yamini Nambimadom)—they make me want to be more creative, to be more curious, to be more in awe of the world around me.

What’s your favorite shoot you’ve ever done?

I would probably say this latest shoot I did with May Malone at Wyatt's Wall behind Cemitas Puebla. I'm used to airy, romantic photography, and here I was pushed out of my comfort zone with the unnaturally bright colors and the grungy environment. It made me question what my signature photography look actually is, and it got me excited about consciously trying to develop and establish it in the future.

Any advice to students trying to get into photography?

Don't think you need expensive equipment to be a photographer—don't let that stop you. It's all in the principle. You can take great photos with just your phone if you're taking the photos the right way and for the right reasons. Likewise, you can take bad photos with an expensive DSLR if you think the technology will do the artistic work for you. Just get out there and start. Let the world teach you how to look at it. Save the mastery and sophistication for later.

Check out his portfolio for more photos here!

All images courtesy of Jaire Byers

Get to Know the Photographer: Paul Lou

MODA Blog is lucky to work with a team of talented photographers. Today, we wanted to feature MODA Photographer Paul Lou.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I just graduated early (in December 2016) from the College with a degree in Economics. I’m originally from Detroit, MI. In addition to MODA, I was involved with Phoenix Development Fund and the UChicago LGBT Business Alliance. I’ll be working in finance in New York starting this summer.

Why did you pick up photography?

I’ve always enjoyed shooting photos with my iPhone on trips and of day-to-day life. I finally picked up a DSLR camera sometime my second year of college, and it’s been a hobby ever since.

Where do you draw inspiration?

I actively follow many photographers on Instagram and constantly use the “Explore” feature to find new ones. Some of my favorite shooters currently are @samuelelkins, @andrewtkearns and @franventer.

What’s your favorite shoot you’ve ever done?

I did a fun shoot with some of my friends near the Linne statue behind Harper. The golden hour lighting there is to die for.

Any advice to students trying to get into photography?

People often believe they need a DSLR camera to take quality photos, but some of the best photos I’ve taken have been with my iPhone camera. Just start shooting! The rest will follow.

Check out more of his work here and follow him @pvlloo on Instagram!

Get to Know the Photographer: Kaiwen Luan

MODA Blog is lucky to work with a group of talented photographers, and today, we want to feature one of them: Kaiwen Luan.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I'm Kai, 4th year Biology major. I've recently gotten in cycling but other passions include photography (of course), cars, and martial arts.

Why did you pick up photography?

I started photography seriously when I was a freshman in high school. I like taking pictures of beautiful things. I think it's great to be able to show other people the beautiful things you've seen and being able to record memories like that.

What are some of your favorite things to shoot?

I started with bird/animal photography so they're still my favorite thing to shoot. Everytime you go out on a trip, you have a rough idea of which animals you'll spot so it's kind of like playing the lottery. You never know if you'll spot an owl perched in a tree or a heron in the water.

Any advice to students trying to get into photography?

I would just pick up any camera and start playing around with it. Learning the trinity is one of the first things I would do (shutter speed, iso, and aperture). Even on your phone, there are apps that will let you control those settings. You don't need an expensive DSLR to take great pictures. If you go to the Hyde Park Art Show in June, some of those photographers have photos from point and shoots on sale.

Check out more of his work here.