By Katelynn Luu
The blast of a track gun, the click of a camera and the roar of the crowd. Right in the center of it all – either running on the track, taking photos behind the camera or cheering for his friends – is junior Tyler Josephson, doing what he loves.
Josephson joined Baron Banner this year as a photographer, looking for opportunities to explore his passions: building communities and telling the stories within them.
“I’ve always really wanted to be able to capture more photos. Whether it’s artistic, or just to be able to capture moments,” he said. “I’m excited to grow my relationships with the new classroom [and] to meet new people in the hope that those friendships are taken a little further with this new opportunity.”
As an athlete himself, Josephson is especially excited for the opportunity to photograph sports events and the crowds there. When he’s not behind a camera, Josephson is either at track practice or watching a professional baseball game.
Josephson radiates with enthusiasm as he reflects on his experiences as an athlete. He played soccer and baseball at varying levels of competition throughout elementary and middle school before finding his place on the high school track team.
One of the aspects of sports that Josephson is most passionate about is community.
“I really want to make an open environment where there’s no fear [of talking] to anyone else,” he said. “There’s a big border between … different sports or different age groups. When everyone makes a community together, it’s really, really, positive to see.”
However, community is just one of Josephson’s many values; he also emphasizes how important it is to be adaptable and grow outside of his comfort zone through his experiences with joining school clubs.
“Freshman year I joined a new club, Just Serve … [it expanded] my community outreach. We do volunteering,” Josephson said. “It was out of my personal boundaries, but I was able to learn the importance of putting yourself out [there] instead of sticking to what you already know.”
The theme of constantly looking out for new experiences is prevalent in Josephson’s life, whether it be through sports, clubs, or his plans for the future. He hopes to continue pursuing his passion for photography as a career or side hobby – whatever he can do with the opportunities that life brings him.