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K A N S A S D E TA I L S
BRIJORAE’ PUSCH-ZUNIGA
Photography has gifted me with a desire to look deeper into things, people and places. Almost anything my eye finds appealing, at some point, my heart does as well.”
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY BriJoRae’ Pusch-Zuniga
–BriJoRae’ Pusch-Zuniga OPPOSITE (CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP) Engagement shoot in Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado—Pusch-Zuniga’s home state before returning to live in Kansas. This portrait seems like it is taken in a rural location, but is actually one of Pusch-Zuniga’s favorite spots in the heart of Topeka at the corner of First and Topeka Boulevard. This extreme closeup features floral work by Topekan Kristen O’Shea and modeling by a longtime college friend of the photographer. This maternity shoot was done at Lake Shawnee in Topeka. Pusch-Zuniga photographed and officiated this elopement at Monument Rocks.
A conversation with KANSAS! photographers about their lives in photography Having grown up in Topeka, BriJoRae’ Pusch-Zuniga returned in 2010 to the Kansas capital, where—in addition to being an ordained minister—she runs a photography and video production company. Along with her husband, Entyse Pusch-Zuniga, she produces images and scenes focusing on joyful living, identity and nature. What is your favorite Kansas landmark to photograph? Forever, the Monument Rocks. Though I haven’t gotten to check out Little Jerusalem yet … so we will see how long “forever” lasts. Tell us about your best chance photo taken in Kansas. It was in Dunlap, near the Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park. There is a small rock stump in the ground near the entrance to the park. I felt drawn to capture it, so I took a photo, having no idea that it was at one point part of a fence post created by Exodusters. There is no sign—nothing to tell you this. I later found a book about the area and saw it the book, another photo of the exact same stump. Draw a map of Kansas, and pinpoint three locations that have significance for you or your career. Council Grove and Dunlap On an assignment in Council Grove a few years back, I discovered some of my family lived there and may have been Exodusters, something I’d never known before. Monument Rocks The site of my first published elopement photoshoot. I not only photographed the couple and wrote an article about their elopement but also was blessed to perform the marriage. It was an extremely special day. Wichita This is the site of my first photography-related speaking engagement, where I was asked to offer my input on the standard of representation of minorities in the travel journalism field.
What have you learned from being a photographer that you wouldn’t have learned otherwise in life? How to see and feel life more deeply. Photography has gifted me with a desire to look deeper into things, people and places. Almost anything my eye finds appealing, at some point, my heart does as well. I fall in love with the places and the people I capture because every place and person is something, someone I want to know better. People say seeing is believing. But you can’t truly believe in something until you know its story. What is the most common photography advice you share with amateur photographers? Never compare yourself to anyone else. It’s okay to be inspired by another, but duplicating what someone else has done is the first step to unbecoming exactly who you are meant to be, not only as an artist but even sometimes as a person. Guard your heart, and know God gave you your very own sight. What was your favorite photo shoot of your career? A friend of mine is having a baby soon, and I just captured her maternity photos. This woman is very dear to my heart as she used to model for me when we were in college. She was part of those formative years that solidified my belief in myself to follow my dreams. To look at those old images I took of her and look at these new ones just blesses me in so many ways. One, knowing how far my career has come, and even more importantly, how far we’ve both come in life. WINTER 2020 | KANSAS! MAGAZINE
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