It all began, as a child, photographing bugs in her back yard. Prompted by this behavior, her parents bought her a camera.

Now, years later, Sarah Edsinga, 21, arts major, has turned her passion for photography into becoming a featured photographer in many exhibitions both on and off campus.

“I find photography incredibly enjoyable and fun,” said Edsinga.

Featured as a finalist in the 2010 publication of the Myriad—EC’s student literary journal—Edsinga said she is incredibly excited to have her photography win an honor.

She will participate in “Celebration,” an art exhibit at Paul’s Photo Gallery in November and in “Injustice,” a student exhibit in the Schauerman Library in April,

After teaching herself the basics of photography at a young age, Edsinga said she was eager to receive proper training and enrolled in college.

“My photographs weren’t the greatest when I was young,” Edsinga said. “But I had a lot of fun with it.”

Since taking Photography 51, Edsinga said Darilyn Rowan, photography professor, has taught her to develop photos in such a way that they are used as a tool for communication.

“I want my work to speak to others,” Edsinga said.

Rowan said Edsinga is a motivated and talented student—one of her top students in 30 years of teaching.

“She is a very gifted photographer,” Rowan said. “She has great sensitivity and insight to line, color, form, shape as well as subject form in her photos.”

Inspired by Rowan and other artists like Ansel Adams, Edsinga’s plans are to transfer to a four year university and eventually become an art teacher. She said she believes in the power of knowledge and passing the beauty of art on to others.

“Photography captures every millisecond of life,” Edsinga said. “And I want to master that art.”