18 The QUEE NS Courier • APRIL 24, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com PORTRAIT of an ARTIST High school senior Megan Sweeney plans to transform her penchant for pictures from a hobby into a career BY CHRISTINA SHANAHAN Elmhurst teen Megan Sweeney is living proof that passion can bloom from indifference. “I wasn’t that into art when I first started high school,” Sweeney said. “But once I learned that I have an eye for photography, it became something that I love more than anything.” Sweeney attributes her artistic development to the supportive environment at Saint Francis Prep High School, from which she will graduate in June, and the encouragement of her parents. After taking a basic introductory art class as a freshman student, Sweeney’s doodles began to transform into more elaborate sketches, drawings and paintings. “My art teacher at Saint Francis Prep, Mrs. Buccino, saw potential in me and really helped me to get started,” Sweeney said. “She would always tell me that my projects were good, even though I wasn’t really interested in the subject, and even told me that she could see me landing an art-based job. She helped me to see my creative side.” From there, Sweeney took her work more seriously and began doing marker projects, eventually moving up to the fine arts of drawing and painting. When Sweeney entered her sophomore year, she invested in a professional DSLR camera. “That year, I took my first photography class,” Sweeney explained. “That’s where I learned that you could have a career in this, so I slowly but surely starting building a portfolio and looking for part-time photography jobs.” Sweeney’s hard work paid off when she landed a gig as the event photographer for Brandywine Senior Living at The Savoy in Elmhurst, where she photographs residents interacting with visitors. Between the photos that she took for her school projects and her work from The Savoy, Sweeney built a strong portfolio that prepared her for the next phase of her journey: taking professional portraits of models and dancers. Through word of mouth, Sweeney connects with aspiring models and dancers who are looking to build portfolios of their own and produces photo shoots that showcase each subject’s talents. She often shoots these portraits in Manhattan, where she can incorporate unexpected elements into the photos. “You don’t expect to see a ballerina in the middle of Times Square or the Bowery,” she said. “I also love incorporating elements of nature into the shoots that I do in the city.” Sweeney, who grew up with her parents and younger sister in Elmhurst, says that her family has applauded her artistic efforts throughout her high school career. “My parents have had a lot of my photographs enlarged, and they hang them all over our house,” she said. “It’s really nice to see my work on display, even if it’s just in my own home, because every time I look at my pictures I can envision them somewhere larger, like on a magazine spread.” It’s no surprise that Sweeney dreams of someday going pro. Her artistic idols include American portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz, who has famously shot celebrity portfolios for Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair, among other major media outlets. Another modern icon whose work Sweeney admires is music photographer Adam Elmakias. “I love going to concerts with my friends and it’s an amazing point of view for a photographer to be able to capture an artist while he or she is performing,” she said. Sweeney said she hopes to begin practicing concert photography in the near future, after securing the necessary permissions from venues to be able to shoot at live shows. Though she’s focusing on her pursuit of photography, Sweeney stays true to the mediums that first drew her into the world of art: drawing and painting. “I have a sketchbook on me at all times so that whenever I have an idea I can sketch it right there,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll see something while I’m out, sketch it quickly, then finish it as a drawing or a painting when I get home. I like to paint more abstract things, like flowers.” In fact, Sweeney did a school project inspired by Georgia O’Keefe’s famous work, where she did an upclose impression of a flower using acrylic paint. So what’s next for Sweeney? After graduating with her high school diploma this spring, she will go on to If You’re Ready to Buy a Home,We are Ready to Help. The State of New York M ortgage Agency offers: Up to $15,000 Down Payment Assistance 1-800-382-HOME(4663) for Housing www.sonyma.org start her liberal arts degree at Queens College. “Then, I plan to transfer to a school with a photography program to pursue my dream,” she said. Thinking even further down the line, Sweeney has two possible routes in mind: fashion photographer or educator. “I love the idea of being able to combine fashion and portraiture,” she said, “but at the same time, I can see myself working in a high school and teaching kids about art, just like Mrs. Buccino.” Photos courtesy of Megan Sweeney
QC04242014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above