Photo credit: Will Huang
Name: Kha Vo
Year: 2nd
Program: General BA
What made you choose Laurier?
I choose Laurier mostly because it’s close to where my family lives. I moved from Vietnam to here and that was already a long trip and I didn’t want to move any further. Laurier is big enough for me to hone photography skills and get my name out there. Laurier also has a publication that can help improve my photography skills. I first thought of location, but when I decided on a career in photography I decided to use the opportunities available to me.
Where have you been involved on/off campus?
In my first year I was a staff photographer for the Cord. I took photos for Laurier Cheerleading in April and Laurier Competitive Dance Team and Showcase. I got right in there. Recently I took photos for 12 Barz, I just got an offer for the museum in Kitchener for a job, and I freelance at Wilf’s and Turret. This year I am the Laurier Cheerleading Photographer, Lead Photographer for the Cord, as well as an International Ambassador, and I work in Recruitment for Laurier. I am the photographer for Laurier International Student Association [LISA] and I am freelancing with night clubs.
Photo credit: Matt Smith
Do you remember the exact moment you decided to pursue photography?
I started taking football photos for Laurier and enjoyed it. I found I have a skill. I started volunteering for the Cord and I found it really interesting. Now all I do with my free time is look up tutorials on YouTube. I am mostly self-taught and now it’s what I want to do with my career. I dropped out of Biology to pursue a General BA so later on I can go to college for photography and later on get a job in this field.
What is your favourite subject to photograph?
My favourite thing to photograph is sporting events and candid shots. Action shots and portraits are great too. I love soccer and football.
What is the job that you’ve been most excited to take – volunteer or paid?
That would be OUA Football. This year I attended eight out of nine football games with the Laurier Golden Hawks. I snapped about 10, 000 photos at Laurier last year! It was a really good experience for me and it helped me get my name out. After that, the Laurier staff knew me, CPAM knew me, and I got my photo featured on the cover of the Laurier guidebook. It was great exposure.
Photo credit: Matt Smith
What is your favourite season?
Summer. I came from Vietnam, which is 40 degrees every day so I haven’t gotten used to the cold! I wish Summer was still around!
Where do you hang out on campus?
I hang out in the science atrium or concourse mostly. I study and edit photos when I have free time.
When you are not taking photos, what are you doing?
I don’t hang out with friends a lot in my free time. I would say I spend most of my time on my laptop looking for more skills on YouTube. I have specific photographers I watch on YouTube, so I follow their channels and watch those in my spare time.
Photo credit: Regan Kat
This unique gentleman is not only incredibly talented, but also dedicated to his craft. If you see him behind the lense or studying photography on campus, be sure to #Pose4Kha!
Want to see more? Check out Kha Vo on 500px, Facebook, and Flickr!