Eddie Curran '18

Major: Photography


What made you choose this major?

I chose the photography major at Carroll because I’ve always had a deep yearning passion to develop my skills with the medium further than I could imagine possible. Carroll has really helped me push myself to new limits and find my own style of photography that helps me stand out from others.

How has what you’ve learned prepared you for your future?

It’s helped me learn the rudiments of photography first and foremost, but especially has helped me learn more about the commercial aspect of photography, and how important it is to be confident in this specific market. I am a filmmaker before photographer, but regardless, the things I’ve learned in the classes at Carroll have helped make me a more confident businessman and overall, more confident with the images I capture.

What opportunities have you had to work closely with a faculty member and what impact has that had on your education?

I’ve worked closely with a professor at Carroll, Mike Mortensen, on several video and photography projects that have left an everlasting impact on me. With his assistance, and that of a spectacular group in a video class, I had shot many short films in my second semester of my junior year that completely opened up my imagination to what could be possible with photography and video. I had felt stuck in the same type of work for a while, and it was a great, refreshing break that helped me see things in a new light.

What’s one of the most unique experiences you’ve had relating to the coursework for your major?

The summer of my sophomore year, I was lucky enough to be chosen to travel abroad with Carroll’s marketing department to document a few of the cross-cultural experience trips here at Carroll. I was able to travel all across Italy and Spain with two different groups that lent me two completely different experiences, ones that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Being able to travel to these countries that I could only dream of and completely allow myself to be engulfed by the culture that surrounded was, ultimately, a surreal experience.

How has Carroll enriched your growth as a person outside of the skills you’re learning in the classroom?

My confidence has definitely grown with my photography, in and outside of my business. But since I touched on how it’s helped me with business earlier, I’ll focus more on how it’s helped me personally. I’ve always found photography relaxing, but never related much to it until I started to focus on my own work here at Carroll. I was able to establish a look, mood, and message for my photographs that inspired me to keep on taking more even when I’m not in class. It’s relaxing, inspiring, and rewarding.

Why did you choose to attend Carroll University? Are you happy with the choice?

I chose Carroll University because my father worked there, allowing me unique opportunities I wouldn’t get anywhere else. I am very happy with my choice, as I wouldn’t have been able to experience such amazing opportunities anywhere else and would not have made the same, unforgettable friendships and bonds as I have here.

What would you tell prospective students who might be choosing this major at Carroll?

Go for it with all your heart! The arts, especially photography, are extremely important to who we are as humans and what we appreciate about the world around us. Whether it be documentary, landscape or even fine art photography, do whatever challenges and pushes you forward the most and don’t look back. You won’t regret it, and the world around you will thank you for it!

Learn more about the Photography program

“Carroll has really helped me push myself to new limits.”

— Eddie Curran '18

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