What is your background?: I was born in Cheverly, Maryland, and then lived in Greenbelt, Maryland until the third grade. After that, I moved to Vermont and lived there until my senior year, which is when I moved to Marion, Iowa. I am the son of Mark and Diane Huisenga, and I also have a twin sister, Meghan Huisenga, who actually just moved to Japan.
What brought you to Kirkwood and why?: Initially I dropped out of Kirkwood. I didn’t know what I wanted do with my life, and I decided that school wasn’t meant for me at that point in time. However, a couple of years down the road I really got into photography, and started taking photos every day. Another couple of years went by, and I decided I loved photography so much that I should go to school for it.
What is your program of study and what interests you about it?: Right now there isn’t officially a photography program at Kirkwood, so I am taking all of the photography classes that I possibly can. I truly hope that Kirkwood will implement an official photography program in the near future, and I am surprised that there is not one already. I’m extremely interested in photography, because with every photo that you take, you’re capturing a moment in time (not just light). Moments come and go, but once you click that shutter, the moment you captured becomes immortalized. Some may see it, and some may not, but what really matters is that those moments are there for you whenever.
In the fall you entered the juried competition at the Des Moines Art Center called “Community Photography Showcase: Street Photography”. What was that experience like for you?: It was extremely surreal seeing my work on exhibit in a museum, but at the same time exhilarating. Also, it was very reassuring, and reminded me of how great I am at what I do, and that all of the hard work and time I’ve put in towards what I love hasn’t been for nothing.
What do you do for fun?: I take as many photos as possible, and lately have focusing on studio portraiture. I also rap, skateboard and snowboard. Last but definitely not least, I am part of a creative team called Omni-. The group consists of Jordan Burgett, Spencer Meachem, and Jalen Wilkins. I’m with them all the time, and we are constantly moving forward; helping each other grow.
Where do you see yourself in five years?: With how fast everything is happening in relation to Omni-, it’s very hard to say. All I know is that I will definitely own a private studio by that time, and will hopefully be one the leaders in the photography industry.