Snapshot from Behind the Camera
17-year-old Zoey Duchene uses her photography skills to document the big picture.
by Isabella Roberts, Avon High School
In the midst of flashing lights, 17-year-old Zoey Duchene shines brightest. Whether it’s through theater, film making, French club, art club, or photography, Duchene has an obvious passion and talent when it comes to the arts. “There’s a bunch of small things that shape who I am,” Duchene said. She has found many ways to incorporate her interests into her everyday life. Yet in the midst of such talent, Duchene’s photography takes the cake.
Photography serves as one of her primary passions. “It’s something that I enjoy and happen to be really good at,” Duchene said. Having derived inspiration from her father to begin her journey in photography, Duchene comes by her talent honestly. He used to record her siblings theater productions, and further gave her the idea to start taking photography classes.
While a talent in photography seems easy, and we all have a phone camera in our back pockets, Duchene knows that real photography requires talent. “It’s kind of seen as a lesser art craft because its just with a camera,” Duchene said. “So, anyone thinks everyone can do it. I like that I’m able to make images that make people think about it.”
Duchene has won numerous awards for her photography such as a Scholastic Award, a Month of Photography award, as well as a regional award for a political competition that allowed her photos to be shown in Congress. She has also had the opportunity to take concert photos for bands like Phoneboy and Breakup Shoes. Having seen 20 concerts in 2023 alone, taking photos at concerts provides her with the opportunity to combine two interests into one.
Though she plans to major in film with a double minor in photography and French, her major will still provide her with opportunities to use her talents as a photographer within cinematography. This will allow her to be more well-rounded. With so much fervor for so many different sections of the arts and the means to achieve her goals, Duchene has her future laid out in spades.