For senior Michael Hanches, photography started as nothing more than a hobby. But this year, he is a photographer and editor for Yearbook and is planning to make photojournalism his life’s work.

“I love how you can catch the most amazing moments, as cheesy as it sounds,” Hanches said.

But it wasn’t Hanches’ idea at first to get into photography. According to Hanches, it was his best friend, Aron Ianchici, a freshman at Tribeca Flashpoint Media Academy, who got him interested.

“He told me to take pictures of him, and when I felt the camera, I was like ‘woah,’” Hanches said.

After that moment, he went home and did research on photography. He said he would spend his whole day watching videos on how to work with a camera.

“I wanted to get my own [camera], and I went home and I just kept looking up stuff on cameras and it just went from there,” Hanches said.

According to Hanches, he has his own method of taking pictures. He likes to be a “fly on the wall” so he can get pictures that are natural rather than posed.

“I try to hide when I take photos […] so I can capture them without them knowing they’re being captured,” Hanches said.

Hanches said photography is like second nature to him now, and he has come up with techniques to help him get that perfect shot. One thing he realized is that he doesn’t want to take a bunch of pictures all at once.

“You want to sit and anticipate,” Hanches said. “That’s what photojournalism is all about.”

Hanches is still learning all of the skills needed for photography. According to Hanches, it’s all trial and error for him. He never took the photography classes offered here at South, so he has to learn everything by himself.

“I wish I started when I was a freshman,” Hanches said.

According to Elise McCune, co-editor-in-chief of Yearbook, Hanches is a very talented person, and she enjoys working with him.

“He brings so much fun to our yearbook staff,” McCune said. “If we’re having a stressful night, he’s always that guy to bring that pick-me-up.”

But photography isn’t all fun and games, according to Hanches. Photographers have to actually put in the effort to get the amazing shots.

“I remember one time I was at a photo shoot, […] and we were in the forest,” Hanches said. “We were in the middle of taking photos, […] and then it just started pouring. It was hardcore.”

However, he said it’s not that stressful for him. He’s taking two academic classes this year, so instead of using his space in his backpack for textbooks, he stores his camera in it.

“I feel like a photographer should have his camera with him at all times,” Hanches said. “Something interesting [could] happen.’

Hanches hopes to make photography more than just an after-school activity.

“I’m really serious about this,” Hanches said. “I want to go further. Even if I don’t get paid big money, I’m still going to do it because I love it. It’s my passion.”