Picture Perfect
Some of the most loved and beautiful images on Baylor’s Instagram account (@bayloruniversity) come from photographers in the Baylor Family. Here’s a snapshot of how these Bears view campus through their cameras as they document their Baylor experience.
“I absolutely love my job because I get to care for one of the most vibrant buildings on campus: The Bill Daniel Student Center. I took this photo in June 2020, in the midst of the pandemic and as our country was grappling with the ongoing implications of racism in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. I was on a walk with a friend around campus, processing everything
going on within the world and offering up a simple and repetitive prayer of: God be with us. As we headed toward Pat Neff, the sky became this beautiful mosaic of color which made the green light shining from the tower stand out like never before. We both grabbed our phones to capture the moment, but then looking through the lens of another phone capturing the same moment, the entire experience was illuminated in a whole new light. When I see this photo, I am reminded of a fresh perspective, a renewed hope and a commitment to good in this world.”
“Coming to a university with students who are proud to be Baylor Bears, who support athletics and other programs well, was something I was really excited about. We chose to shoot this photo on the bridge near McLane Stadium because of the stunning view of the river and Sydnee’s memories of all the football games she attended during her time at Baylor. Having the beautiful sunset sky, the Brazos and the stadium, depicts a Baylor student’s time in Waco very well. My time at Baylor has helped open my eyes to the world around me, the cultures and beliefs around me, while also helping affirm my personal faith in God. I get to be surrounded by so many people with so many views while still getting to take classes and meet students and faculty who point me to Christ.”
“It may sound cliché, but my favorite part of attending Baylor is all the people that I’ve met here. Spending the day building a snowman with one of my best friends is among my favorite memories from my time at Baylor. There’s no way to really put into words the full impact on my spiritual growth Baylor has had on me. Getting plugged into a local church and small group has given me a fantastic community for growth, support and accountability. There is no question — I have grown so much more in my relationship with God in the last three years than I had previously thought I would in my entire life, and I can’t wait to see how much more I’m going to grow during the rest of my time at Baylor.”
“I’ve been so blessed to work for Baylor Athletics for the past year and a half, and even more blessed to be able to capture images of my friends on the volleyball team throughout these past two historic and record-breaking seasons. One of my favorite parts about photography is the ability you have to create images that are unique by using perspective and depth. These two things separate a good photo from a great one, and they are things that I’m constantly striving to use whenever I’m shooting sports. Photography is about storytelling, and so many of us love sports because of the stories interwoven into them. I seek to capture images of sports and athletes that tell these stories beautifully and authentically. I felt that this photo represented so much of the grit, determination and resilience that this team has had to show over the course of the past year and a half.”
“My journey to Baylor started when my best friend recommended that I apply. I knew I wanted to go into the medical field and, after researching about Baylor’s pre-med program, I was sold and applied. I was excited to receive my acceptance letter, which completely altered my college plans; but, after touring Baylor’s beautiful campus, I was in love. My favorite thing about Baylor is the professors and how much they engage with the students. I didn’t expect my Gen-chem professor to still remember my name over a year later. The memory that I captured in the photo was the day I was taking over the Baylor Instagram representing Baylor’s First In Line Program for first generation college students. The program has helped me achieve my academic goals. First in Line has shaped me by helping me grow in all areas, not just academically. I have fostered a family through First in Line that will forever remain close to my heart, and this picture reminds me of that.”