KELSEA

My name is Kelsea, and I am a sophomore at Serra High School. I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and I currently live in Murrieta, California. The social issue that speaks to me is peer pressure. I choose this topic because it’s such a common issue that affects people of all ages. It also has many branches and is so complex. Personally, I am affected by this issue at school. My peers pressure me to get straight A’s to the point where I am so driven to get an A, that I don’t retain the information being taught to me. It also leaves me feeling burnt out. In my photography, I use symbolism and portraiture to portray this social issue. I photograph a mixture of people, objects, and nature, and I gravitate towards photographing in black and white because it makes the mood of the photos more dramatic. When people look at my photos, I want them to realize that peer pressure is a serious social issue in our community and our whole society. Also, I want people to recognize that there are many ways that this issue can have really negative effects on people. Lastly, I want viewers to know that everyone can contribute to solving social issues around the world, you don’t always have to run for office or give speeches to spark change in your communities.