about me

My name is Carmella Kay, I'm a 22-Year-old Photographer, Videographer, Blogger, Podcaster, Digital Creator, Vegan/Animal Activist, Mental Health Advocate, and Environmentalist. I've always had a love for Photography, Film, Music, the environment, helping people, and the entertainment industry since the day that I was born.

 

entertainment/Photography beginnings

 

I knew the moment that I could feel and see the emotions of lyrics and words through my soul; I wanted to make a difference and be unique with my artistic personality. Although, Photography (+ Film) was not my main focus in High school and College. My love for it never died (in some way, shape, or form) it was a huge influence in my life and made me into the person I am today. 

​

I started Photography when I was about 8 years old (doing this for years); taking photos on my grandfather's old camera (mind the fact you had to use film in these cameras); hence, understanding the process of going into a dark room and developing the photos at a young age.

 

Eventually, I upgraded to my first camera, a Sanyo Digital Camera (which I still have), when I was 10 and started getting more involved in understanding the digital side of photography (as I was used to manually taking photos). 

​

As High school arrived, I started having an interest in the Film + Entertainment Industry (which in turn led to my love for, podcasts, blogging, and more). I always wanted to have a voice for the voiceless.

 

I had such a love for that industry that I started taking courses in Music Production, Film, Creative writing, and Photography and although I struggled to understand certain concepts at times; I still aimed to come to the understanding that everyone's perspective on this industry is different (meaning that everyone can view words on screens differently, the way actors portray characters, etc). Therefore, it made me want to be unique with what I do now.

 

Dreams Coming to an end?!?!

 

But Sometimes I guess dreams come to an end in High school; I struggled with certain courses (mainly math) because I was diagnosed with Mosaic Down Syndrome as a baby which led me to have some learning problems. It affected the way that I understood certain processes and even placed a huge amount of pressure on me to be perfect at times. Other times, I felt that teachers would control how I lived my life because I had a disability. But I'm not one to let my disability define me. 

 

Imagine a 14-year-old Girl wanting to live her life but teachers saying that a career in Film, Writing, and Photography would be difficult to get into because of having a disability. Hence, making me believe that I would never have the chance to get to that moment; resulting in me having to find another career path. It was hard to believe that not even certain teachers believed in me.

 

Besides all of that, I was placed into a "Club" that was designed for people with disabilities; it made me feel like I was just one of them; I didn't feel "normal"; or that it was inclusive; I tried opting out but was forced to stay to try and "work on my social skills" but they never listened to what I wanted (until my junior year of high school).

 

It's sad to see how people with disabilities are treated; moreso that people think that our disabilities define us; we're just like everyone else; we're here to learn, make friends, work, and just have fun. I want people to be themselves and love themselves for their vulnerabilities and who they are. Hence, wanting to name my photography business Baiting the beast; as the beast is what's within and it's time to let that beast out and show the world the real you.

​

Education

 

I did also have a love for Science at the time (specifically Forensics) which led me to go to community college for 2 years to get my associates in Criminal Justice with my certificate in Forensic Science. But I found it hard to find a career even then because Law enforcement was still difficult to deal with at times. I eventually graduated from that school in 2019 and transferred to one of the best Forensic schools in CT (The University of New Haven). 

​

I got my bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology (Graduated 2021 Cum Laude) and still found it hard to get a career. Finally figuring out that College is one big scam. Certain Teachers could care less about your emotions, if you're sick; and really only cared about the money from your tuition. I completely neglected myself for 2 years and my health was on the decline because of that; Because of the fact that I kept pushing to be the best and have the best grades. I needed to start taking care of me.

​

Even through all of that; I still found a balance between what I love and what my career choices were at the time. I took a History of Rock course about the Rock Music Industry, multiple Art courses (ranging from the Italian Renaissance to Japanese Art), Forensic Photography, and many psychology courses ranging from theories of personality to Law, Psych, and mental health (my love to help people and understand them). 

​

...And Were Back to Photography

​

After Graduating, my love for photography (+Film) still stood strong; and I had to tell myself repeatedly that this is what I want to do with my life just to get back into the mindset I was in back in my Freshman year of high school. It didn't take long for me to pick up a camera again; this time getting a Canon EOS 4000D DSLR (as a Graduation gift) and that's when I knew this was going to change my life forever.

 

Although, I didn't go to school for Photography, Film, and Writing; I did it on my own without schooling. I started my own Business (which I'm still in the process of working on) and Im in the best place mentally that I could ever be (even though I go through my own struggles).

 

Current Work

 

As Music has had such a special place in my heart; I've been working with multiple bands as their photographer, videographer, and promoter for the last year. On top of this, I am currently working with Comix Roadhouse, a restaurant in Mohegan Sun Casino (CT) to take photos of the bands and artists that perform and bring exposure to the wonders of the world that many may not know of and I'm looking forward as to what the future holds. (Maybe my next work will be with someone i really want to work with: Austin Butler I'm talking about you :D) 

​

All I can say is that dreams do come true in the end; if you put your time and effort into doing what YOU want not what someone wants for you whether that be teachers, parents, college, etc. It took me so long to get to where I am now, and I'm the healthiest I could have ever been. I not only found a passion for photography and Film but I've also used it to show what a cruel world we live in (hence, being an environmentalist/animal activist). 

​

Environmentalism/ Vegan/ Animal Activism

​

Over 2 years ago after my dad passed from a heart attack (brought on by his struggle with addiction); I decided to make a huge life decision myself. I went Vegetarian for 2 years and now I'm transitioning into Veganism. It was the best decision I ever made. I'm now an advocate for getting rid of animal cruelty, promoting environmentalism, and reducing climate change.

 

Our world is heading in a poor direction and our animals are suffering because of it. They're what makes this world living 99% of the time. They're being used and abused just for us to consume when they are not subservient to us for that reason. 

 

Joaquin Phoenix once said that "We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow and steal her baby" just to use the baby for survival and if that doesn't make you realize that we need to make a change in our environment then stay in your own mindset; there are people that do care about making a difference. Without change are we really Evolving??

 

Most of the time I don't think many of us realize that we're being manipulated to believe that animals are the only way to survive when that's not true at all. Animals make our world a beautiful place whether we realize it or not. 

​

Lastly...

Just remember to be good to the world and it will be good to you when YOU put in the effort to do what YOU want. Not what anyone else wants for you.