Quisha Lee ’24 is a four-year Senior from Hong Kong. At school, she is a co-head of the Special Olympics club and Analogue Photo Magazine, the Design Editor-in-Chief of ink., co-captain of Girls Varsity Swimming, and a member of Varsity Ultimate Frisbee. Her photos of Special Olympians have been exhibited at the school and in Hong Kong.

How did you discover your passion for photography? 

I fell in love with photography after my grandmother gifted me a small digital camera when I was five. She told me to photograph everything I liked and show my photos to her, and she would do the same. By exchanging our images, I saw the world through her eyes. 

In turn, she offered me advice on how to improve my camera angles and composition.

Since then, I’ve been taking classes and attending exhibitions to hone my skills and broaden my horizons. I love photography for its ability to freeze memories to look back on. It is also an outlet for my self-expression. 

How has the school’s photo program helped you grow as an artist?

The Photo Department here taught me everything I needed to know, from how to take an image to how to create my own exhibition. I learned about the technical aspects of a camera, the editing functions on Photoshop, the skills to properly analyze a photograph, how to develop my own film in the darkroom, create cyanotypes, and use analogue cameras. 

Most importantly, I learned to reflect on my intentions before every photoshoot to convey my message as effectively as possible.

Can you tell us a bit about your project with Special Olympics?

I began my “photolanthropy” project after attending SOCT and SOHK training for disabled athletes. 

I wanted to show Special Olympics athletes’ warmth and unwavering resilience through photographs. I hope the audience will see these special athletes as equally present individuals in society. 

The athletes I met showed me the importance of self-confidence, motivation, and love. They did not view themselves as disabled or at a disadvantage, but simply trained to the best of their abilities.

What are your future plans with photography?

I plan on keeping it as a pastime for life. I hope to be in a photography club in college, so I can continute to learn from like-minded classmates. 

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?

Don’t dwell on trying to capture the perfect moment from the start. Play around, experiment with different techniques, and the images will naturally come your way.