Seung Michelle Photography » Visual Journalism

Spring Break in Switzerland

Seung Michelle — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:09:41 +0000

I would much rather show than tell although there is much to tell…maybe I’ll come back to this and write captions.

Before

During

After

I hope you enjoyed these series of pictures from my short and even sweeter trip to Switzerland. Now it is time for my jet-lag-resistant beauty sleep.

a forever favorite

Seung Michelle — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:10:24 +0000

This image was taken in 2007 during my first impromptu street shoot. His name is Ivan & I will forever be thankful to him for being my first subject.

Fire & Brimstone

Seung Michelle — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:20:56 +0000

She remembered the first time she encountered a so-called Christian fundamentalist yell at the top of his lungs a list of people who are going to burn in the afterlife. She was absolutely livid because these representatives of her same faith were just wrecking it! Today, a man decided to “warn the lost souls on campus that [they] are going to hell.” After three years of just passing and ignoring these crazy Christians, she was fed up and finally faced a fella’ this afternoon. A nice, little dialogue began when she simply asked him, “If to be a Christian means to live like Christ, how are you doing that by yelling at my peers?” He scolded her for interrupting him and said that he needed to put her in her place. A circle of entertained students yelled out “He’s sexist!” when he claimed to have ordained (from God) authority over her. Then she proceeded to tell him that his words hurt her feelings. She simply wanted to have a conversation with her supposed “brother in Christ” since they follow the same Jesus, the same God and all…right? He asked her, “If you believe the Bible, then what does it say about people who don’t live for God?” She responded, “Well, sir, the Bible does, indeed, say that if one does not ask Jesus to be his/her personal savior then he will spend eternity in hell….BUT it is NOT our job to condemn but to share and to share LOVINGLY.” Her gentle and assertive words must have totally bypassed him because he literally pushed her aside and yelled, “They’re ALL going to Hell! It’s MY job to warn them.” She turned around and stated with more conviction, “All you are doing is cursing them. All they are doing is making fun of you. They find this funny, not urgent!” He ignored her and continued on with his exaggerated version of the Sodom & Gomorrah story.

(Forgive me for the poor footage…I am obviously not a videographer.)

He may have had the last word but he sure as hell didn’t leave the last impression.

This post is unlike any previous entries in attempt to share not only my eye but also my heart.

UCI Protest//walkout

Seung Michelle — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:49:27 +0000

Week of Action. Finally, UCI gets some. Check out the deets.

I cannot wait to show you the rest…

black wednesday

Seung Michelle — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:47:50 +0000

Today, the Black Student Union organized a silent protest in show of solidarity. Check out the article published on the UCI page here.

Finals Week @ UCI

Seung Michelle — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:46:34 +0000

In between study sessions, I decided to go to the Gateway Study Center and snap some shots of my fellow Anteaters studying away! It was packed and looked like an academic slumber party.

Good luck everybody. Just a few more days until break!!

Justice NOW

Seung Michelle — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:32:36 +0000

Last week was a nutzo week. You know those times in your life when everything you are involved in hits its peak and when it rains…oh baby, it POURS. Well, that, my friend, is the repercussion of busy-ness and overcommitment at its worse. Rock Harbor hosted a worship event called Justice Now and I wasn’t planning on attending since I had “so much to do” but then in the middle of the day I had a deep desire for communal worship. Although my daily life goal is to breathe worship day in and day out, my soul had an insatiable need for music and community. I thus drove my butt to Rock Harbor. I never regret photo opportunities. Sure, I dread some every now and again for whatever reason–fear of the uncontrollable or unexpected, feelings of inadequacy, etc.–but I don’t think I have ever left a shoot feeling like I wasted my time or that I got nothing out of it. It’s a beneficial outcome all the time. My attendance on this purposeful Thursday evening was a case in point. The subject matter definitely took my focus off of me and onto the greater needs and urgencies out of my world. It was not only a reminder of how incredibly blessed and rich I am but also how there is a way to help, alleviate and support…whether that is by way of a picture, a purchase of an accessory, a sponsorship or a trip to serve the immediate and tangible needs…to name a few.

Enough about me and my thoughts.

Justice NOW was a concert/event for worship leaders, the church community and sponsorships/vendors to advocate awareness of Northern Uganda’s current condition amidst a 20-year war. It was a powerful evening, to say the least.

The beanies on the left are from Krochet Kids & on the right we have Pastor Peter from Africa Renewal Ministries.

The following jewelry is from 31 Bits. They sell paper necklaces and bracelets handmade by women in Africa.

BBQ & Festivities…Hollywood Style

Seung Michelle — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:04:42 +0000

Holly and I went to our friend Jukka’s BBQ about a month ago. I had no idea what to expect and come to find out, even if I did have expectations, they would have been blown my mind outta the water. We had met him through the Broken Hearts Ministry and he has become a dear friend to us both. He invited us to a BBQ that his former rehab center was throwing and I must say, it was one of the best barbecues I had ever attended. I seriously cannot believe how much fun I had. The festivities took place in a Hollywood neighborhood corner, hidden so that we had to rely on our ears to follow the blasting music trail. There were an assortment of people present and it was such a beautiful thing to be amidst so much diversity and exuberance. Dancing, singing, laughing, eating, mingling…multiplied by 7.

Holly, Jukka & a fellow attendee…

Shocktoberfest!!!

Seung Michelle — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:15:09 +0000

Here are a series of images I took at last week’s biggest UCI event of the year…SHOCKTOBERFEST for UCI Communications.

Common Ground among other dance teams performed at the Pre-Party Street Festival.

Then we all went inside the Bren Events Center to watch the slam dunk competition…

Optimus Prime won TWO airline tickets to Europe!

This costume contest was full of surprises….marriage proposal for the win!

(She said yes)

May the REAL festivities begin…

Shwayze

Gym Class Heroes

More to come as soon as I go through ALL of the pics…trust me, there are a lot of goodies.

Meanwhile, click HERE to see the slideshow by myself and the brilliant Daniel A. Anderson. Click HERE to see the video by mastermind Steve Zylius.

Invisible Children Screening @ UCI

Seung Michelle — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:11:46 +0000

I started my third year of college about a week and a half ago and I finally feel like I have melded into my college niche. For example, I know my way around campus and can actually book it across Aldrich Park to my next class in 12 minutes flat without needing a map, I have the confidence to whistle by myself as I stroll down Ring Road and then LOL because I’ll catch myself whistling “All The Saints Come Marching In” and lastly, I can take a ridiculous amount of units (which is totally unlike me) and not be stressed out because I’ve learned how to manage my time wisely—these are just a few things that have taken me the past two years to recognize and twenty years to develop. I dabbled in all sorts of organizations and such…basically wiggling around until I felt like I fit–not fit IN but just fit nicely into my Michelle-shaped nook.

One of the things I got involved in was Invisible Children as a freshman. I was awkwardly but enthusiastically attending all the meetings and volunteering however I could. The meetings were sparse in attendance but I was really inspired by the vision and passion of the leadership. The president, Emily, was super pumped up for and about anything IC and it got me all riled up for Uganda. I emceed the first annual Mr. UCI man pageant which was a hit (and an overindulgence of eye candy if you ask me…*giggle*). Then we did Swipe to Save which was probably the most brilliant means of fundraising; freshmen and meal-plan holders could donate the cost of one of their many meals for our cause. Anyways, my first year passes, the second rolls around. My photography endeavors become more and more apparent so I become the IC historian but I kinda dropped the ball as my priorities were shuffled and at that point I was overcommitted to too many things. But WAIT…this year is different as I am ready to redeem my position and get back into the IC game.

The screening was last night and in contrast to the previous ones, there was a really good turnout and an even better response.

I met the raddest team of roadies, who are basically college-aged people who set aside 8 weeks of their lives to travel in one area of the US and raise awareness of the rebel war in Uganda. These guys are SO passionate and knowledgeable about this and their purpose permeates into those who hear about it.

If you want to know more about Invisible Children and what the heck it’s all about click HERE and read what I could not have written or explained any better.

Please people, PLEASE! You can make a difference without going much out of your way. There are so many ways you can contribute whether it be by way of $3/week through the “Give Peace a TRI” Campaign, the Change for Change fundraiser in which you send in your loose change or by donating your gently used books…and these just touch the surface of your financial and material support. You can even take part in getting the attention of President Obama.

Here’s your Change for Change promo:

Or…..BUY STUFF!