You may have seen me run around the campus with a camera in hand, perhaps trying to get into awkward spots for that one good photo, whether it is an event hosted by Wichita State University, a student government meeting or something completely different. Maybe I have even taken a photo of you. Photography has always been a part of me, and throughout college, it has become a defining aspect of my identity.

I remember sneaking away with my aama’s old Nokia phone to take photos of everyday things. My childhood dog, Snoopy, was the designated model. When I was allowed to have a smartphone as a teenager, having access to Tumblr only deepened my fondness for photography. I was able to enroll in a photography class with my baba’s old DSLR camera in high school, which led me to proper exposure to intentional practice photography and seeing the world through a lens.

When I arrived at Wichita State as an international student from Nepal, I was surrounded by other international students, mostly in STEM majors. I hadn’t even considered being a photojournalist and knew nothing of The Sunflower. Finding direction towards my communications degree took some time, but The Sunflower helped me understand how to connect with the community in meaningful ways.

The Sunflower became an opportunity for me to build meaningful relationships and gain lasting, valuable experiences. I am deeply grateful to the editors-in-chief during my time at The Sunflower: Jaycie Nelson, who saw my potential and gave me my start, Mia Hennen, who guided and believed in me through my journey as a photojournalist, Allison Campbell, who trusted me with the role of photo editor, Taliyah Winn who appointed me as a senior photographer and Amy DeVault, the adviser for The Sunflower, for guiding me.

The hours I spent on Lightroom Classic, the running last-minute to an event and meeting deadlines on late Wednesday nights have taught me how deep-rooted discipline is in journalism. Although I may not pursue photography as a full-time career, it will always be an essential part of who I am. I may no longer have access to the amazing equipment provided by Elliott School of Communications for its students, but photography is not defined by the camera. It is defined by the story it conveys.