Day 3

Day 3:  Vladimir

Age: 20

Major: Painting and Political Science

Hometown: Houston

Connection to me: Art History 2

Me: Interesting major combination.

Vladimir: I like politics and I like painting. Everyone in my family is an artist.

Me: Are you Christian?

Vladimir: I don't believe in religion.

Me: Why?

Vladimir: I took philosophy and it made me think differently. 

Me: So how did we get here?

Vladimir: Science!

Me: So when a woman gives birth, you don't think that that is a miracle?

Vladimir: Its just nature.

Me: Have you looked into other religions?

Vladimir: No.

Me: You should.

Vladimir: Religions come and go. They are nice stories, fairy tales that people made up.

Me: O_O

Vladimir: I think studying philosophy made me a little crazy, it made me think too much. 

Me: Are you crazy?

Vladimir: Not when I take my medications :) (just kidding). You should take philosophy.

Me: No way, its blasphemy.

Vladimir: I know :(

Me: o_O

Vladimir: (covering face) I'm so confused!

Day 2

Day 2: Julia

Age: 22

Major: Undecided

Hometown: Russia

Connection to me: Art History 1

Me: When did you come to America?

Julia: 2 years ago.

Me: Do you like it here?

Julia: I have mixed feelings. I like it and hate it at the same time.

Me: What do you like about it?

Julia: This is the country of freedom, you can do whatever you want and there is so much opportunity here.

Me: What do you hate about it?

Julia: I hate that all my family is in Russia, so far away. I feel very alone. Holidays are the worst because I am by myself. 

Me: Do you have a boyfriend?

Julia: Yes

Me: Is he American? Russian?

Julia: No, he is Israeli.

Me: He is Jewish?

Julia: Yes

Me: I'm Jewish!

Julia: He says that if we will get married, I have to convert first. Is that true?

Me: Well, being Jewish comes from the mother so if he marries you, your children will not be Jewish which stops the line. It's a big deal.

Julia: I dont know how my parents would take it....

Me: I see your wearing a cross around your neck.

Julia: Yes, whenever I'm with him he tells me to take it off.

Me: I dont blame him.

Julia: (Sigh) life is so complicated.

Me: Yes, it is.

Day 1

15 Days at HCC

The other day as I was walking into HCC, I saw a black girl who looked about my age and 8 months pregnant.  There was something about her that made me wish I had my camera on me to photograph her. It was at that moment that I realized that this is my last semester at HCC and that soon, I will not be surrounded by such diversity as I had been these past 2 years. So I have decided that for my last 15 days at Houston Community College, every day I will photograph one student and interview them. This will be your lens into my community college experience and the people I am surrounded by. I hope you enjoy this project, please feel free to comment on the pictures and interviews. 

Day 1: Gino

Age: 19

Major: Graphic Design

Hometown: H-town (Houston)

Connection to me: Art History 2

Me: Why do you wear so many bracelets?

Gino: I go to raves and get them there. Its called candy.

Me: Do you take ecstasy? Isn't that what they do at raves?

Gino: Not ecstacy, just weed. I get chopped.

Me: Chopped?

Gino: Its slang for high

Me: How often do you go?

Gino: about once a week, once every 2 weeks

Me: Wow, thats pretty often!

Gino: They're fun :)

S Family

This family shoot was such fun! We went to Dewberry Farm which I have been dying to go to for a while now. Also, what was special about this shoot was that my husband came along, yay! It was the first time he came with me to one of my shoots and he made this beautiful video (below) of the photo shoot. Now about the S family, Mrs. S is one of the most beautiful mothers I know, inside and out. Her and her hubby, Mr. S are such loving parents it brings tears to my eyes :) Enjoy the video and photographs!

B Family

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to photograph a bris, a Jewish circumcision ceremony. This is a beautiful event that is performed 8 days after the birth of a baby boy and is surrounded by a feeling of happiness and joy. This is also the first time that the baby's name is announced. Before the ceremony, the new parents and I went outside to take some portraits of their newest addition :)

L Family

F Family