Mariesa Beneventano is a junior student at Penn State, University Park campus. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with an emphasis on studio arts/photography.
Mariesa uses photography as a means of expressing personal creativity. She loves holding a camera and looking through the lens to see the world in a different light. Since the age of seven, she has known that a camera has magical qualities — ones that help her find the hidden beauty in everyday places, the minute details of different objects, and the intricacies of architecture.
For the last seven years, she has actively participated in a challenging internship program under the supervision of a professional photographer, sponsored by Canon Professional Services. She is currently in Level III of the program which emphasizes advanced techniques using professional grade cameras, lenses, and technology. It also covers principles of design, lighting, advanced composition, and post-processing photos and printing.
Her main interests are commercial and portrait photography, although she does love other types of photography such as macro and fine art photography. Mariesa photographs people because she wants to know their stories — where they come from and where they are going. There are no limits to commercial photography, and that is why she loves it. Commercial photography allows her to think creatively outside of the box. For example, I have photographed water droplets, and in doing so I have captured the unique images created as the droplets hit the water.