Kerri (HideDontSeek) is a prime example of the power created when art meets community.  Through her use of Buzznet, she’s become so inspired by the collective photography of various users that she’s now enrolled in college courses to develop her own natural talent. Find out what photography is like in college and how Buzznet has changed her world views.

Buzznet: I know you’ve posted a lot of photos and journals detailing your experience with learning about photography in school. What school are you going to? What are you studying?

Kerri: I'm currently attending a community college in Elgin  [Illinois]. It's not a huge college or anything but it’s known for being a great college dealing with arts-based learning. At first, I started going to college to focus on Early Childhood Education. After finishing all of the classes offered in ECE, I started taking art classes because that was something I always enjoyed doing. I love creating things. I started to really think about what I really enjoyed in life, and that's when I realized that maybe I should give photography a try. Buzznet also helped with showing me that photography might just be where I really should focus my attention. So, as of right now, I am focusing on Fine arts with my main focus on photography.

I really don't have any plans on going to a larger college to study photography.

Buzznet: And how do you like it? So far, at least.

Kerri: I absolutely love it!

Buzznet: How come?

Kerri: Sometimes I really wish I would have started photography in the first place. I just feel like I fit in. Like, everyone is my equal. The teachers are really encouraging and the students become more like your friends than just students. The students also help give you ideas with what you might be thinking of shooting.

Buzznet: Sounds like a good environment. Do you worry about keeping your artistic freedom with in an educational setting? Or does your school provide you that freedom?

Kerri: I am not really the "risky" type of photographer. I really don't have to worry about my work being controversial because I really never come up with ideas that would tick people off, offend, or frighten the viewers. So, no, I really never worry about my artistic freedom.

As for the school providing me freedom, the school is actually really free about most things. Then again, most of the students really don't do any "risky" work. Like, we've had some nudity and blood in some work but that was in the more advanced classes that I've taken. Outside of that, people have been really tame with their work.

Buzznet: So you mentioned that Buzznet helped you, in a way, to find your path in school. How else has the site and the community been integrated into your life?

Kerri: Buzznet and a lot of the members have been great in encouraging me to find my voice. There are a few members on Buzznet that I've grown close with that have encouraged me to speak up for myself. I've always been a very shy person and I still am, heck, I was nervous just contacting you. But they have been great in showing me that it's ok to speak up and have your opinion counted. I've also become more open-minded with my views on many different issues. I've grown up in a conservative family and it's great to now have different views on things. 

Buzznet: Whoa, that's actually really surprising. What's an example of something that's changed about you since joining Buzznet?

Kerri: Do you mean how have my views changed or in general?

Buzznet: In general! I don't mean to put you on the spot or anything. I just find it fascinating that interaction through a website can change someone.

Kerri: Oh! It's ok. Well, I've been trying to be more open with people about myself. I speak my views more often about issues such as gay rights and racism. See, I've always been one to run with the crowd instead of being the one to run against it. It's always easy to just agree than it is to disagree and have your voice heard.

I try not to be so negative about myself or my work... that one I'm still working on.

Buzznet: So what do you hope to be doing in a year’s time? When should you be done with school?

 

Kerri: I hope to be done this year. In a year’s time, well, I really have no idea what I will be doing. I would love to be able to just work on whatever I wanted and be able to display it in a gallery and have people buy my work but that's just a dream. Someone from Buzznet has been encouraging me to become an apprentice to working photographer. It would help improve the skills I have. Who knows, maybe I will do some apprentice work. No one really knows what the future holds for us. I just hope it's something good.