'Do what you love'

Multimedia student assistant EJ Medellin earns third place in CSU's first Photo of the Year contest

By California State University, Bakersfield

September 13^th, 2022

If you’ve been on the California State University, Bakersfield campus within the past year, there’s a good chance you’ve come across EJ Medellin.

Medellin is a multimedia student assistant for the University Advancement division and can often be seen taking photos and shooting video across campus. Since enrolling at CSUB in fall 2021, he has produced thousands of photos for the university and now, his work has been recognized by the entire California State University system.

A photo Medellin took this spring has earned third place in the CSU’s first Photo of the Year contest, which celebrates meaningful moments that were captured during the 2021-22 academic year. Each university was encouraged to submit a photo for the competition, after which the public voted on their favorite images.

Medellin's photo depicts Ricco Reynolds, the recipient of the 2022 President’s Medal for Outstanding Graduate Student, and his children: 7-year-old Lyla and 5-year-old Rory. Reynolds enrolled in the nurse practitioner program at CSUB despite his demanding work schedule and family duties of raising two children with his wife.

Medellin — who plans to graduate in fall 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in digital media — answered a few questions about being part of the contest, his winning photo and his experiences as a photographer.

How do you feel about earning third place in the CSU Photo of the Year contest?

I am honestly completely humbled and grateful for the opportunity to represent this great institution as well is our incredible community. This is the first time I have been selected for a photo competition of this magnitude.

What do you think of the CSU holding a photo contest like this?

I absolutely love the CSU system for holding this contest. I view each campus as a little ecosystem. I am completely enamored with our university and the impact it has on individuals, myself included, and the community. There is so much good that goes on within each of our CSUs that I feel like it can easily get washed out. This is an opportunity to not only showcase the amazing things that are occurring on our campuses but to showcase the immense talent we have amongst our creatives.

How do you feel about your winning photo?

First and foremost, I am a father of a 7-year-old — this photo is everything to me. The raw emotion, you can not only see the pride and pure adoration that Reynold’s children have for him, but you can see the loving environment that he has created within his family. I remember looking at the photo as soon as I took it and immediately getting the chills. I am often overcome with emotion when I take a photo that is special. I vividly remember walking through the room showing as many people as I could before running back to the office to meet my deadline.

What were you looking to portray with it?

I really just wanted to portray that although we are chasing our dreams and achievements, we all have underlying reasons for what we do, our driving force. Ideally, I would love for people to never lose touch of our why — why we do what we do on a daily basis. Never lose touch of your driving force and never quit on your dreams no matter how hard things get. The finish line is closer than you think.

How long have you been a photographer and how did you get started?

I have been a photographer for seven years. I was working at Wall Street Imprintables as a digital media specialist when they bought what would be the first camera I would use. A year later, I was working for the Bakersfield Condors and bought my first camera. I got to use professional hockey as my subject and learn the ins and outs of photography through an incredible medium.

What do you enjoy most about being a photographer?

My favorite part of being a photographer is that I get to break the rules. There are visual standards — many of which are dated — and although they are extremely useful and helpful when composing an image, who is to say that you don’t completely ignore them to show your individuality? Past creatives created these rules and future creatives will rewrite them to usher in the new age of photography. I get to be a part of that, and I am absolutely in love with that idea!

How has your experiences at CSUB impacted your work?

CSUB is truly the most diverse and inclusive environment that I have had the pleasure of being a part of. Each day I step foot on campus, I am filled with pride. The relationships I have forged across campus have tremendously impacted my work. I have had the opportunity to work with various creatives on campus, and I think in doing that, it always gives you new perspectives. We all have influences, and I feel we meet people at the right times to help shape us in to the creative we will ultimately become.

What are your plans after graduating from CSUB?

After graduating, I would love to continue my career at CSUB so I can have a lasting impact on the community which molded me. At some point, I would love to teach multimedia at the high school level so I can impact future generations and show them that they can have a bountiful career as a photographer/cinematographer. We get to live once — do what you love!