SALMA

My name is Salma and I am from San Diego. I am a junior in high school, living in the neighborhood of Normal Heights. The social issues that have been drawing my attention are bullying and peer pressure. Both social issues relate to personal experiences I have faced with my family. Before starting high school, my parents went through a terrible separation that left both sides of my family on unspoken terms. Being unable to handle the stress, I decided to isolate myself by staying away from everyone and finding a way to seek comfort. My mom faced a lot of criticism from my dad and his siblings after the separation, but she didn’t let their comments bother her. Instead, she showed them how strong she is, and how they were wrong to judge her for standing up for herself. Seeing the bravery in my mom helped me create a new path for myself. I was able to escape from the isolation and depression that had once stopped me from reaching out for help. And now, through photography, I am able to express myself and my experiences. I mostly shoot in black and white to symbolize my point of view of the issues I have faced, and to allow my compositions, lighting, and subjects to be the focus of my work, rather than color. I want people who are viewing my work to think about their own lives and how they can cope with their own struggles. There is no right or wrong answer in how you share your story, or how it can be expressed. Photography has helped me share my story, and I hope my audience feels empowered and finds the courage to share theirs.