Passion is an overwhelming emotion.  It’s a connection between two things that refuses to break.  It’s the uncontrollable urge to follow and build that connection.  A passion is the only word close to describing Naomy Mukai’s connection to photography.

A junior here at East Islip, Naomy Mukai is an incredibly talented art and photography student who is currently enrolled in photography 2 (darkroom/analog) as well as Drawing and Painting.  Through her artwork Mukai has connected to many and, most importantly, to herself.  

Naomy has been a large part of the art department in recent years and her love for art has not only touched others, but it helped her connect to herself.  Naomy frequently lets herself be the artist as well as the art, modeling in many of her own photos.  When asked if she enjoys taking pictures of herself she said, “sometimes I don’t necessarily think it’s of myself.  I just view it as somebody else, but I trust myself the most to capture those shots.”  Her expressiveness and vulnerability in front of the camera represents who she is as a person just as strongly as her passion and commitment behind the camera showcases who she is as an artist.

Naomy’s undeniable talent and growing passion for art has not gone unrecognized.  This April, Naomy was the second student to be granted the Roberta Strent Memorial Award at the Huntington Camera Club Competition.  This award was created in Roberta Strent’s memory two years ago by her two sons, Marc and Craig Strent.  Roberta was an active member of the Huntington Camera Club with a love for photography and, as her son stated before announcing the winner, this award was meant to be given to someone who has shown the same passion and love for photography that Roberta did. 

With her breathtaking photos and moving video about what photography means to her, both of which are attached, Naomy won over the judges and took home the award plaque as well as a $500 check.  The Strent brothers, who served as the judges for this award, were impressed with Naomy’s deep connection to the darkroom which she calls her “safe space.”  They were also moved by how she claimed art has shaped her as a person, teaching her patience and who she wants to be.

As Naomy grows as an artist she continues to impress with her artwork.  Going into her senior year, Mukai intends on taking AP art classes as well as Digital Imaging and Design and Video Production. 

“Naomy has demonstrated a great commitment to photography,” shared Mrs. Singh, a photography teacher here at East Islip. “She’s a leader and is always bringing positivity to all her classes, especially the art department.” 

There is no doubt that Naomy will go on to do incredible things in the art world as she follows her passion.