My name is Heather Arena and I am a nursing student at Elmira College. Photography is one of my many passions because behind a camera lens I am given the chance to see the world in a new light. The chaos that exists around us blinds us from seeing the true beauty that lies beneath, but a photo helps us focus in and see the simplicity one image at a time. With so many worthy subjects, I most enjoy photographing the wild beauty of nature and capturing a friend in a candid moment. For me taking photos is a stress reliever. The only thing I have to worry about, as I get ready to snap a picture, is concentrating on getting that perfect shot. For a split second I can see the natural beauty of what I am photographing. A photo for me is worth a thousand words; it takes you back to that exact moment of simplicity and has the power to make you feel so many emotions. “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” ― Dorothea Lange