VUE Magazine is a student-created editorial publication at UC Davis, dedicated to showcasing creativity and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities, including women, POC, queer, and other marginalized groups. As the Director of Photography, I lead the creative vision for all visual content, manage photoshoots, and collaborate with a team of talented photographers and editors to produce compelling imagery that aligns with the magazine's mission.
Unbreakable Bonds
"Arya, the talented photographer for Unbreakable Bonds, blends her passions as a UC Davis senior double majoring in Cinema and Design. This particular shoot required careful planning and execution, allowing her to showcase her sophisticated skills. Through her lens, Arya captures the models' essence, weaving intimate narratives of love that resonate long after the photos are taken, transforming fleeting moments into timeless stories.
She observed that angling played a crucial role in storytelling through her lens. “For example,” she explained, “the tighter shots captured the intimate, butterfly moment of a ‘first date,’ while the wider angles used in the ‘toxicity’ scenes emphasized an unsettling sense of distance and discomfort.” Unbreakable Bonds granted her the creative freedom to delve deep into the emotional landscapes of her subjects.
Utilizing flashes and low lighting, she harnessed the interplay of angles and body language to reveal the intricate dynamics unique to each type of relationship. Each frame became a vivid testament to the joys and struggles of connection, inviting viewers to experience the nuances of love and conflict in a deeply resonant way. Unbreakable Bonds is a significant addition to Arya's portfolio, demonstrating her storytelling versatility, technical skills, and ability to realize her creative vision."
Persephone’s Descent
"Arya is the lovely second photographer of Twilight of the Season: Persephone’s Descent. Working with Nieve to actualize the creative vision of Jackie and Navaeh, Arya used her camera to truly bring this shoot to life. You may recognize her as the former lead photographer for Aggie studios, but she has been exploring her passion for photography since her freshman year at Davis when she became a sports photographer. Arya is a Dubai native, who traveled to California to attend University. Aside from her skills with a camera, her passion for design and painting provide catharsis for her creative side. She is currently a UC Davis senior, studying a double major in Cinema and Digital Media and Design, and we are so grateful to have her with us at VUE!"
The Photobooth
I created a photobooth for VUE Magazine to celebrate and highlight the diverse community that the magazine represents. Located in the heart of campus, this interactive installation invited students from all backgrounds to participate, fostering inclusivity and connection. The photobooth served as both a creative platform and a space for self-expression, capturing the unique stories and personalities that make up our campus community.
Eternal Beings
As the creative director for Eternal Beings, I had the incredible opportunity to bring our vision to life alongside the talented photographer, Sam Steiner. Working with Sam was a collaborative and inspiring experience, as we seamlessly combined our ideas to create a truly timeless series. My role involved styling the models, carefully draping fabrics to enhance the classical aesthetic, guiding poses to evoke emotion, and assisting with studio lighting to achieve the perfect atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the shoot and am thrilled with the final results, which beautifully capture the intersection of mortality and artistry that we set out to explore.
