“Don’t hold back, go for it because once you take those first few steps you will find out if this is for you,” biomolecular science and pre-med junior Jessica Gojuk said while discussing her passion for her photography business.

It all started when she was modeling for friends, who were taking a photography class. Gojuk was initially intrigued by the editing process. Due to working hard previously, Gojuk had extra money to splurge on her first — and current — camera, a Nikon D5300, in the fall of 2016.

In 2017, Jessica Gojuk Photography became more than just a hobby for the Wallingford native and this past year she legalized her business, becoming an LLC — enabling her to hire other photographers, mentor aspiring artists and receive tax deductions.

Gojuk transferred from Rutgers University in New Jersey. She attends Central Connecticut with the hopes of eventually attending medical school but she does not “want to put [photography] on the back burner.”

“I like the adventures it takes me on,” Gojuk stated. “It gives you the motivation to go places and see the world.”

Following in the footsteps of the photographer, Allison Farley, who inspired her to “capture the moments,” Gojuk balances her school work and her photography business because this is more than just a hobby.

“I was always an art kid,” Gojuk stated. Despite pursuing a medical track, Gojuk forever remains fixated on the humanity her photography can curate.

Gojuk prefers to shoot senior portraits because she feels as though they orchestrate memories that last a lifetime and document the successes of these young high school graduates.

“I like having a subject, it is a little more intimate than having a large event.”

Obtaining a formalized education is not mandatory to follow photography as a career, but it facilitates a lasting connection. Gojuk, however, is not working toward a photography degree, but being at Central has constructed a relationship that resulted in an exciting endeavor.

“I actually did engagement photos for two people who graduated from Central this past May. I did their engagement photos and they both moved to Colorado, which is awesome because I actually made connections with people here, going here,” Gojuk said.

Farley is her favorite photographer, not because she is infamous in the game but for her talent of capturing the souls of her subjects.

“She inspired me, I grew up with her and I know her really well and she has been friends with my mom for years so she is the only person, I think, that ever took pictures that captured us,” Gojuk said.

When shooting her own location-based photoshoots, Gojuk is determined to understand the people behind her camera and does her best to capture who they are as opposed to simply what they look like. Her approach to portraiture, senior photos and equine directly derives from her role model.

“Her style, her having a conversation with her subject and the person you are photographing and her openness and warmth when she shoots, that’s what I think stood out to me and makes her such a good photographer.”