Click! For rising photographer, Marley Chaney ’19 this sound is music to her ears.

Ever since Chaney was a young child, the arts have heavily influenced her. Chaney grew up watching her mother, a photographer, take photos of people and places and became fascinated by cameras and the field of photography itself.

Her passion truly blossomed around the age of 13. She began to research tutorials on how to use cameras and eventually collected enough money to purchase her own, a Canon Rebel T3I, which she still uses today. Chaney felt excited and accomplished after saving up for something that was so important to her.

“I had all of my money in a jar that I took to the store,” she said.

After purchasing her camera, Chaney quickly began to take photographs of her family and friends. She then created an Instagram account to showcase her pictures.

“Instagram is an easy way for people to see your work. It’s universal,” Chaney said.

Through Instagram, both individuals and brands have reached out to her, asking to collaborate on various projects. Some of her past clients include dancer Maxine Hupy and alternative rock band, Jane’s Addiction.

She has also photographed a campaign for fashion designer Karen Keith. By working with people who are influencers in their respective fields, Chaney has begun to expand her portfolio.

Chaney found it particularly fascinating to work with artists in different professions, and Keith emphasized Chaney’s natural talent in a phone interview.

“She has an excellent eye for angles and composition,” Keith said.

Whether it is a photo posted on Instagram or one saved in her portfolio, Chaney’s peers consider her work to go far beyond the surface level.

“Marley’s work has a personal depth that no other artist’s has,” Roxy Strouk ‘19 said.

Chaney’s friends are also inspired by her enthusiasm, work ethic and the sophistication of her work.

“[Her photography] is very professional for a girl her age. A lot of care goes into it,” sophomore Ana Berman said.

Photography teacher, Marya Alford, who taught Chaney for one year, views her work as very natural, yet dramatic.

“[She creates] these really well composed and visually striking images,” Alford said.

In the future, Chaney hopes to pursue a career in photography and wants to take a gap year after graduating from high school to participate in a photography program.

Although she has worked with many different types of art in the past, including drawing, painting and sculpture, photography is her true passion.

To learn more about Chaney’s love for photography and how the arts have shaped her, listen to the audio clip below.

Because she has experimented with various types of art, the skills she has picked up from each venture has strengthened and improved her photography.

“All of the different types of art have really broaden[ed] my learning and helped me incorporate new forms into my artwork,” Chaney said.

“You can transform an image into anything you want can send so many different messages with one picture.”