Name: Judith Kirkikis
Hometown: Cranford, NJ
Year: 3rd Year
Majors/Minors: Film and Media Arts with a Marketing minor
Her Campus American: What do you love about American?
Judith Kirkikis: I love the early professional atmosphere at American. Everyone takes their schoolwork and future careers very seriously. It is very motivating environment and easy to find early success both academically and professionally.
HCAU: What is your favorite music to listen to?
JK: My favorite music is any popular rap and hip hop. Post Malone will always have a special place in my heart.
HCAU: Who was the first person at AU that made you feel like you belonged?
JK: The first person at AU who made me feel like I belonged is my friend Josh. We met through a video production project my freshman year and worked really well together. We have been good friends since.
HCAU: How did you first get involved in photography and what do you like to take pictures of?
JK: I first got involved with photography after attending the 2016 Pride Parade in New York City. I was so overwhelmed by the colors flooding the street of the city and the enthusiasm of everyone in attendance. I started taking pictures of everyone and everything on my iPhone and never stopped.
My favorite form of photography is photojournalism because I find the idea of capturing moments of our history to be so compelling. Big or small, these moments will be a representation of our lifetime for generations to come.
HCAU: Where can we keep up with your photography? Social accounts? Websites?
JK: The best place to keep up with my photography is on Instagram @Kirkikisphoto. My website is www.judithkirkikis.com and is listed in my Instagram bio! You can also keep an eye out for my photos on the @mfoldc Instagram page!
HCAU: What is your favorite photo assignment you have completed?
JK: In my sophomore year, I took COMM-476 Photojournalism and Social Documentary with Bill Gentile. Our final project was to make a photo story and write a feature that encompassed the meaning of our images. For my photo story, I made photos of a local bakery the night before their busiest day of the year. I got to come in after-hours and document their team of bakers preparing hundreds of batches of fresh goods for the next morning.
HCAU: What photo organizations are you involved with?
JK: On campus, I am involved in American University’s Photo Collective. Off campus, I have worked with March For Our Lives DC, Shut Down DC, and Street Sense Media. I have been featured in the Center for Media and Social Impact’s “Resistance” exhibition, and I am also a member of the Women Photojournalists of Washington.
HCAU: Cats or dogs?
JK: I love dogs! My furbaby Lucy is so funny and I don’t know what I would have done without her through quarantine!
HCAU: What are you most looking forward to during spring semester?
JK: This spring semester, I am actually looking forward to taking a small break from everything. I am definitely the type of woman to grind her way to the top, but the pandemic has put a lot of things into perspective for me. I know that in order to continue sharing stories of our past, present, and future through photojournalism, I will need to reflect on what makes these moments so compelling. A good photo isn’t always of an action, but the reaction to the events occurring. I hope to go back to my roots this semester and make some compelling photos of everyday affairs.
HCAU: What do you like to do in your free time?
JK: In my free time, I love watching reality cooking show competitions. I am almost through binge-watching Master Chef Jr. and I love it!
HCAU: If you could give incoming freshmen one piece of advice what would it be?
JK: My advice to incoming freshmen is to say yes to everything. The opportunities I have had throughout college are all a result of my reaching out and taking risks. If you want something, ask for it. If you are asked to be a part of something, try it out. You will never know which opportunity could lead to another, and then another. Be open-minded to everything out there, it could be more impactful than you expect!