Four aspiring photographers share the stories of love, resilience, dedication and dreams behind their favorite shots
From capturing a couple’s engagement to sports photography to unique and creative artistic pieces, four artists from BYU–Hawaii shared their favorite photos they have taken, along with the inspiration and meaning behind them.
A reflection of perception
Denzyl Dacayanan, a senior from Las Vegas, Nevada, majoring in intercultural peacebuilding, said his favorite photo was taken through close observation. He shared he walked along the canals of water and began to see the reflection and the distortion of the picture in the water. “In that moment, the distorted reflection itself was a more accurate representation of my perception of the world. Skewed, changing and abstract,” he explained. The photo was the closest he had ever taken to an impressionist photograph, which is something he has not done, he added.
His photography journey began at a young age, documenting life and moments with loved ones, Dacayanan shared. Fascinated by YouTube and creating, he said he got his first camera in middle school and started vlogging. Before leaving on his mission, he said he bought his first real camera, but later sold it to bring a smaller one to document his mission. During his missionary service, he said he fell in love with photography more and is now pursuing his passion professionally.
Capturing love
Sariah Richardson, an alumna from Folson, California, and a wedding photographer, said her favorite photo came from a session, where the bride and groom shared a meaningful first look, seeing each other in their wedding attire. Richardson said the photo is special because it is a visual representation and connection to the couple’s story.
She explained they are both surfers and love catching the waves. “To be able to have such a beautiful wave hit at the exact spot, creating a splash that enveloped them, felt perfect because of their connection to the ocean,” Richardson said. “The photo you see today was created through a careful eye, a patient hand and a wave of energy,” she continued. To her, it was more than just a beautiful shot—it perfectly captured the couple’s love, trust and shared passion for the sea.
Growing up, Richardson said she fell in love with storytelling through film and photography. In college, she said she studied film and worked to save up for her first camera. She now runs “Sariah Films,” a wedding photography business, capturing meaningful moments for couples. As a wedding photographer, she said, “I fell in love with being able to capture a piece of love in every photo, from the look a husband would give his wife, the way a fiancé would carry his bride or the genuine joy from a proposal.”
Framing the dream
With a dream of becoming an NBA photographer, Brigham Robert Busania, a senior from the Philippines majoring in business management with marketing emphasis, said his favorite photo is one he captured of Stephen Curry at a closed event at BYUH. “I even printed it and had him sign it when he visited campus,” he said. During the event, he said he balanced both videography and photography, holding a gimbal in his left hand for video while snapping photos with a camera in his right. “That’s how persistent I am to achieve my dream of becoming an NBA team photographer,” he continued.
Growing up, he said he was surrounded by music and played over 10 instruments, but he never felt passionate about it. He believed in the quote, “You will know your passion when you lose track of time doing something,” which led him to explore photography. A year ago, after seeing a photo of Jordan Clarkson taken by a friend at a Utah Jazz event, he said he was inspired to pursue photography seriously. “When I first bought my first used professional camera, all I remember was $9 left in my bank account,” Busania added. Driven by determination, he said he spent countless nights watching tutorials and learning from photographers. He said it took a whole year of consistency and practice for four to six hours daily to get where he is today.
A piece of resistance
Moevai Tefan, a graphic design junior from Tahiti, said her favorite shot was taken in Greece. “There were so many cultures with perfect sculptures with perfect profiles and proportions, but I was drawn to this portrait,” because of the imperfections, she explained. This piece shows it has lived through so many things, Tefan added. She called this photo a “piece of resistance.” Tefan explained the features of this art spoke to her deeply, and the simplicity of the photo carries a profound meaning as she connects the idea of resilience in her own life.
Growing up, she said her mother was a photographer for part of her life. During this time, she became used to being in front of the camera, which was her initial introduction to photography. Tefan said it wasn’t until college that her brother encouraged her to pursue photography. “He pushed me to buy my own camera, and it was a huge investment,” she recalled. Her brother, who got into photography while on his mission, began teaching her the basics when they both returned from their missions.
Tefan bought her first camera at BYUH in 2021 and started by taking photos of people, later expanding to landscapes and nature, she shared. As her skills improved, she said her brother encouraged her to charge for her work and helped her learn how to grow a business. Tefan’s journey from hobbyist to professional has been a long one, but she said she’s grateful to have built a career around something she loves.