I got my first camera during my senior year of high school, at a time when I felt lost. Art had always been a constant in my life, and photography quickly became an outlet—a way to capture the world when I didn’t have the words. I began using my photos as references for painting and even submitted them as part of my AP Art exam.

While in high school, I enrolled in an after-school Art History course at Pasadena City College. The professor mentioned the study abroad opportunities at PCC, which inspired me to apply for the Florence Program. In the summer leading up to that trip, I bought my first drone along with a few more cameras. That investment paid off—not just in experience, but in opportunity. I was awarded a creative scholarship to document the entire program.

After returning from Florence, I spent months editing the footage and teaching myself Adobe software. What started as curiosity turned into commitment. It was in the process of stitching together those moments—of reliving the story I had captured—that I realized this wasn’t just a hobby. It was a passion. I enrolled in several film courses over the next semesters and also