Introducing me!

1. Name, phone #, and e-mail: Nah, nevermind. I know this already...but please tell me the address for your class blog.
http://kristenkayphotography.blogspot.com/

2. What’s your major? What year will you graduate? 
Right now I am a photography major. I might change to a journalism major with a photography minor because I want to be a sports photographer. Honestly, who knows what I'll finally decide to major in.

3. Why did you choose a photography class (or photography as a major), and what do you hope to learn from school in general and this class specifically? 
I choose photography as a major because I love to take pictures. I know that sounds cliche, but when I have a camera around my neck I feel like I'm doing what I am suppose to be doing with my life. I hope to learn things in school that will prepare for the future. I want to learn a lot of different things about many subjects, so I can be a well-round person. In this class, I hope to learn things that will make me a better photographer. I'm really excited to learn how touse Lightroom. 

4. What are your goals after graduation? Please list your goals in reverse order, starting five years out, then three, two, one, and six months. 
Five years from now I want to have a good sports photography job. I want to someday work for ESPN.Three years from now I want to be starting my senior year here at Commerce, studying whatever I decide to major in and working on my awesome thesis. Two years from now I want to be getting back from studying aboard, most likely in London. I want to have a good internship or job on campus. One year from now I want to know what I'm majoring in. 
Six months from now I want to know a lot more about photography. I would have wanted to finish the  first semester of college with good GPA and be preparing for finals for the second semester. 

5. What artists, musicians, photographers, writers, movies, books have influenced you/your work? 
Musicians- Hillsong United, BarlowGirl, Building 429.
Photographers- Ansel Adams, Joe McNally, Casey Jay Benson.
Writers- Karen Kingsbury, Francis Chan,
Movies- The Grace Card, Seven Days in Utopia, Faith like Potatoes.
Books- Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

6. Where do you get information about current national and international events? 
I watch news on television and read online articles. My favorite one to watch is The Five on Fox News.

7. Are there any important websites that you are referencing for art/photo competitions and/or information? 
It might sound dumb, but I love to look at Pinterest for inspiration and tips!

8. What museums and/or galleries have you been to in the past year? 
None.

9. Have you had any photo projects and/ or training in the past? 
I've taken a few photography classes in high school and was apart of the yearbook. I've taken wedding, engagements, family, and senior and sports pictures.

10. What is the value of art for the artist? 
When you take an artist's passion, vision, creativity, imagination, and hard work the value of their art is priceless.  

11. What is the value of art for the audience? 
The value of art for the audience really changes from person to person. A major factor in determining  the value to the audience is how they look at the art and what they are seeking to find from a piece.

12. Is photography a vocation CAREER or an avocation? 
To me I want photography to be a vocation. I feel like photography is an avocation to everyone, just take a look at how popular Instagram is!

13. What is your passion? 
Photography, people, and traveling are a few of my passions, which is why I think it would be amazing  to be a missionary photographer one day.

14.What are you afraid of? What makes you uncomfortable? 
Tornadoes scare me.

15. Do you have a passport?
 Yep! I have been to Cozumel and Paris.  

16. Why did you sign up for this class? What do you hope to learn from it?
I signed up for this class because I like photography and wanted to get better at it. I also signed up for it because Dr. Gruver said my professor would be, and I quote, a photography genius.