Photo Essay #1- The life of a college student featuring Sydney Butler

The idea for my project came from the story “A Young Father’s Balancing Act” because I liked the idea of talking through everyday struggles. My favorite part of that story those is how at the end of the day the father is still proud and happy to be a father even though it is challenging. My roommate inspired my story because we always sit together and discuss what we have going on that week. We both had a never ending list of things we had to do. This gave me the idea to write about the struggles of a college student. So often, especially at family events, my older relatives or relatives that have never attended college ask me questions about college that make me realize that they have such a warped view of what I actually do with my time at college. They ask questions like “how many classes are you taking?”, “Do you like your professors?”, or even make statements like, “What do you mean you didn’t go to a party this weekend!” Questions like those make my blood boil and made me want to let people know how much stuff most college kids have to juggle on a weekly basis.

The formatting for my project was inspired by Ogier-Bloomer “Books From My Mother”. I really liked the symmetry of having the photo and the captions next to other, it allows for an easy read. I also have it so my slides do not necessarily correspond with the next slide but the overall moral of the story gets built up from the captions.

This project really allowed me to get an understanding of my roommates routine. I saw how much she really has to do throughout the day. I also was able to understand more about her jobs and classes. I had to really learn about her trials and tribulations to be able to tell it to my audience through this story. Because she has so much going on, it was hard for me to condense her life into a few slides with relatively short captions. I had to pick and choose what back story I wanted to cut out so that I could keep the reader's attention but still give them enough detail to understand the point of the story. Another challenge that I had to face was finding time that we both had available to take the photos of her. We were able to work around that by staging some of the photos, but most of the photos used in this project were candids.
I have taken a photography class that taught me how the mechanical aspect of taking photos work. It allowed me to know what type of lighting to use and what format works best with the project I am using. These skills helped me for this especially when I learned that for a photo essay all of the photos must be the same shape. My photos for this project are in portrait mode. This was a challenge because some of the scenes would have been better captured in landscape mode, but the majority worked best in portrait mode.
This type of storytelling allows the words to supplement the photos, contrary to typically stories where the photo supplements the words. These photos do not leave much up to the imagination, but rather allow the reader to physically see the subject of the story and to watch them progress throughout the story. The platform that I used to create my photo essay project was Google Slides. Google Slides allows the reader to click through the story at their leisure and take as much time as they need to on each slide. I like having the words directly next to the photos because it allows the reader to have the image in their peripheral vision while reading the texts. This allows them to easily visualize what is happening before, during, and after the photo was taken. Using Google Slides also allows the reader to go between slides freely, it does not have to be a linear storyline, although it can be. For my story it works out that the reader does not have to go from start to finish in the story and not be able to jump around. It makes the most sense for the reader to go from the first slide to the last slide, but they also have the freedom to go back to previous slides if it helps them remember what had already happened in the previous slides.
This project taught me about formatting, as well as, how important camera angles can be. I did have previous knowledge of the technical side of taking photographs, this project allowed me to expand my creative side of photography. I was able to find the perfect angle, and take a surplus of photos until I got the perfect one. For most of the project, I took many types of photos for one slide, and the ones I liked the most were not the angle I expected to work best for that slide. Sydney is a photogenic person, so having a subject like her made the project just a little bit easier. I also learned how to format Google Slides into an un-editable file. I originally converted it into a PDF file but then I decided that it is more user friendly to just convert it to a un-editable file rather than using the PDF version. That will help me far beyond this class. Converting the Google Slides makes the project so that it is un-editable to the reader. When it is kept in the original Google Slides format the reader can make changes or see the editing tools that I have used. Once it is converted into an un-editable file those edits go behind the scenes. Something that I liked about converting it into an un-editable is that it still allows the readers to go freely between slides, they can click at their own speed and also go back to previous slides. Overall, I really enjoyed creating this project and I hope to possibly use it in my professional portfolio.

A Day in the Life of a College Student- Featuring Sydney Butler

Digital Poem

My digital poem was a recreation of my non-digital poem. I used the same idea but I brought it to life. Prezi allows my poem to be interactive and allows the reader to visually see the places I described in my poem. 

Beautiful Europe- Digital Poem #1

Photo's of Sydney

In this photo, Sydney is walking from class to her work study, where she will spend about 4 hours working for the nursing department. During her work study, she does typical clerical work, such as, shredding papers, making copies, and running paperwork between academic buildings.

Sydney spends time on the computer while at ehr work study. Often times she is juggling multiple projects at one time. Her boss knows that she can handle whatever tasks she gives Sydney, but sometimes she overdoes it. Similarily to her work study position, people know how hard of a worker Sydney is that sometimes they over extend her by asking her to do to much at one time. Because of the nature of her personailty, Sydney tends to have a hard time telling people "no", even if that means she is running herself mad.

Sydney is a Junior Psychology major. She has maintained a 4.0 during every semester so far except for one semester. Her studies are very important to her and although she is very busy, she never lets anything interfere with her schoolwork.

With her crazy schedule, Sydney always finds time to study and do her homework. The studying technique that works best for her is using flashcards to study terms. 

Sydney is the president of a club on campus at UPJ called Kickstart Kids' Hearts. This club raises money for kids with heart defects. She organizes all of the meetings and manages the events that the club has.

At the end of her long days of class, studying, her work study, and homework. Sydney heads home to maintain some of her personal upkeep, like exercising, laundry, showering, and other household maintenance.

Because she has so much on her plate, she often times finds herself being up late studying or working from her phone. One of her favorite things to do to maintain her sanity, is nap. Her favorite nap spot is on the couch of the home we share during the school year. 

Sydney is a Network Marketer for a company called It Works Global. She started at the very bottom of the food chain and worked her way to earn the third highest ranking in her company. She now manages 3 Instagram account and about 100 employees. If you are interested in learning more about her business follow her on Instagram @Sydney.jordann. 

One of the most important and time consuming rules that Sydney plays, is being the big cousin. Sydneys' Uncle AJ and Aunt Heidi are the parents 5 beautiful children, 4 of which were adopted from Ethiopia. This past year, her Aunt Heidi, who was only 38 years old, was diagnosed with stage 4 Bile Duct cancer. When this diagnosis occurred, Sydney had to up her game from just being the big cousin, to now also being a caregiver to her aunt, as well as, all 5 kids. Heidi had recently lost her battle in August 2018. To learn more about who Heidi was and the type of family Sydney has, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPqAKuE-C_I

In addition to the passing of her Aunt Heidi, the same night Sydney had also lost her wonderful Uncle Tom. With the strain put on her family from all of the most recent events, Sydney became the shoulder to lean on for all of her family members. She has to be the strong one that everyone calls when they need something. On top of her own busy life, she also has to be the anchor for her family.

A Day in the Life on a College Student- Featuring Sydney Butler

Let's get to know my travel partner and roommate. I have traveled the more places with this girl in the few short years that we have been friends than I have any other friend. We have visited cities together in 3 states, and 9 countries. I wouldn't trade her friendship or our experiences for anything in the world. So now you guys can get to know my best friend----

Sydney Butler is a Junior Psychology major at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She is not just a student but she is also, a roommate, girlfriend, sister, daughter, cousin, travel partner, niece, work study employee, friend, fitness enthusiast, as well as, a business owner. The list continues for the rules in life that Sydney plays, so obviously this is a busy girl. Sometimes she is spread so thin that she has to make very tough decisions to decide which rule takes priority of her time for that day.

During the school year, Sydney typically starts her day very early. Being one of four roommates, she is usually the first one that is up and out of the house. She typically starts her day by getting a little bit fo her work down on her phone while relaxing in bed. Once she finally rolls out of bed, she gets up to make breakfast, her favorite breakfast is when she mixes Keto Coffee, chocolate shake mix, and chocolate greens. After getting breakfast, she gets dressed and gets ready to head out and start her extremely hectic day. She is currently taking 5 classes, and is excelling in everyone of those classes. Although she makes getting a 4.0 look easy, this girl studies her butt off everyday, and never misses a homework assignment.

On top of her intense class work, she is also a very passionate business owner. She works as a Network Marketer for It Works Global. She started at the very bottom of the food chain and worked her way to earn the third highest ranking in her company. If you are interested in learning more about her business follow her on Instagram @Sydeny.jordann. On top of running her own business and managing about one hundred employees under her, she is also a work study for the universities nursing department. She has manage to squeeze in an average of 10 hours a week at her work study. She typically finds time to work between classes and tends to work through her lunch time.


Aside from her academic and professional life, she is a very dedicated friend, girlfriend and family member. Her family is very important to her. While her parents had been divorced for the past eleven years, she has to not only find time to spend with her old sister Sabrina, but also she visits her parents separately. One of her favorite people in her life in she maternal grandmother whom she refers to as "Gaga". Sydney loves to bake with her Gaga. Her little cousins look up to her as their idol, she always has to keep them in mind when she is living her life, because they always have eyes on her and always want to copy everything she does.


Her friends and boyfriend bring her pure happiness. While her life may be complete chaos, she manages to make time to unwind with her friends, and boyfriend, Tyler. Whether it is "$10 date nights" with Tyler, girls night with wine and movies at home, or a big party with her closest friends, Sydney always keeps her bright smile and exuberant personality so present. You know when Sydney is in the room, and those who surround couldn't be happier to have her around.


Stop back next week to see this story brought to life with the use photographs. I plan to just hang out with Sydney for one or two days straight and continuously take photos of her during her day to day life. I intend to really capture her character, and allow her facial expressions to show what conflicts she has going through her mind. These photos and short captions will truly exemplify how strong of a person she is, and what it all takes to pull off her crazy lifestyle.

Beautiful Europe- a poem

The trip has just begun
A new world for me to see
People, places, things all so new to me

Southern Europe is where we start
Where the wine is fresh
The pizza is thin
Honestly, one of my favorite places I've ever been
Italy, you have filled my belly
But even more so, my heart
And for that I thank you
For such a great start

Next stop, we head to the top
The alps are cold and crisp
The livery roam free
There is no place I would rather be
Switzerland, I'll see you again soon
Don't forget about me

Here we are now
A place rich with history
Where the people overflow with knowledge
While they drink down their beers
You were so good to me Germany, cheers!

We are now heading further north
In a place where the croissants are fresh,
The tower stands tall
A place where my love grew deeper for a place I'll never forget
France, you were so much fun for us all

It's colder in this place than most
Where there is afternoon tea
And where royalty still reigns
I've seen the clock
And I've ridden the eye
London, I promise this is not goodbye

It seems we have reached our final stop
We have enjoyed our paella and tapas
You have shown me sangria
Which has shown me how to dance in the streets
Spain, when you think of my time here
Please, have a drink for me!

Europe, I loved our time together
Our laughs, memories, and love
You have shown me more beautiful places than I'd ever imagined I'd see
For this I am forever grateful
That you have shared your beauty with me

A refreshing and ever changing world

Before we start traveling around my world, I'll give you a little insight on what to expect. My world is a balanced yet chaotic mess. It's the type of mess where things seem to be scattered everywhere and have no rhyme or reason to their placement, but for some reason I know exactly where everything is. My world is a place where people can be weird, they can be open and free, and they can be totally just them. I am who I am and you can be whoever you want to be. I like to let everyone do their own thing, and if you offend anyone in my world then well....you can fuck off and go to some other miserable planet in the universe. To be honest, if you are easily offended then my world is probably not for you either. So, if you are trying to have some good vibes and not complain to much then my place is the place for you.

I do not have time or patience for politics and the corruption so we can just leave all that bullshit wherever it came from. A pug represents my world's political presence(or lack there of) because they stand for peace, ample sleep, and their main cause is to make sure living creature has a full belly. This world allows all of its visitors to express their emotions. We are always open to change on this planet.


Here is what my world flag looks like:

My world constantly has some strange song playing in the background and you are really not sure where it is coming from but it seems to be describing how you feel at the exact moment that it is playing. The songs be a range of genres, but are mostly songs that you can sing along too--- sorta like songs that you can sing in the shower. Sometimes the song gets skipped and sometimes the same song plays on repeat for what seems like centuries, either way, we are jammin'. 

There are animals everywhere and we treat them with the utmost respect and we love and cherish each creature individually. There will be animals roaming around freely everywhere we go. The animals bring my world solidarity.

The air in my world is fresh and clean. I live very simply in this world and live off of the land as much as possible. We do not have any manufacturing on my planet but we do export our fresh and natural resources to other planets. Electricity is limited but can be used if and when it is necessary. One of our biggest imports from other planets are books. There is no ban on the amount of books that can be imported here. There are no limits on music equipment either. I encourage everyone who visits my world to expand their minds as far as they will go. 

This world is crazy. This world is free. This world is happy. This world is mine. Welcome to Planet Springs -- where anything I imagine is possible.