Name: Nadine Ruiz
Age: 23
Major/Minor: Fine Arts/Photography & a Journalism minor
Year: Senior
Hometown: Hell’s Kitchen NYC
What’s your favorite thing about Montclair State?
The friends I have made are priceless.
What’s your favorite thing about your major/minor?
Getting to turn my passion(s) into a career.
When did you know you wanted to go into photography?
I’ve always been into photography, it was (and still is) my dad’s hobby so I grew up with a camera in the house all the time.
What’s your favorite art form besides photography?
I love writing and I love music.
Do you have a favorite photographer?
I have several favorite photographers – Richard Avedon, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Frank and Dorothea Lange.
Do you have a favorite picture you’ve taken? Why?
I don’t have one favorite picture! They’re all my babies and I love them equally! – That’s such a mom thing to say!
What are your plans/goals postgrad?
To move out of my parents basement, to find a good job and support myself, to live a meaningful life that’s comfortable – ideally supporting myself through my passions. And to just live a life of intention, you know? Oh, and move to Nebraska, to be closer to my boyfriend and to get out of the goddamn crowded dirty city.
What does your perfect day look like?
Waking up without an alarm, drinking tea and eating a big breakfast, curling up and watching Netflix or reading. Just getting to relax, maybe going for a jog or going to a cafe and catching up with friends. Then going out to dinner with my boyfriend.
What is one thing you wish people knew about you?
That I have HIGH-FUNCTIONING anxiety and depression. So many times my outgoing, extroverted ways are actually a cover for my anti-social awkward instability.
What’s your favorite thing about photography/being a photographer?
Being able to tell a story, show my perspective and to express myself. Being a part of a community.
Where or what do you draw inspiration from?
LIFE. EMOTIONS.
What’s been the greatest part of your college career?
Meeting such amazing people, because they’ve gotten me through so much and I wouldn’t have made it without them.