This is Shamara Hornick’s first gallery opening, though, she has been taking pictures since middle school.

“When I found out that photography was a thing, I spent my life savings for a digital camera and have been taking pictures ever since,” said Hornick.

Her passion turned into a career in 2015 when she graduated from Ridgewater college with a degree in professional photography.

“I have been doing this professionally for about nine years. And I’m still learning. I am a member of the TCPPA (Twin Cities Professional Photographers Association) and PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and am going to go to Dallas for a few day photography convention soon,” said Hornick.

Gallery 2: A corner of Lykke Books is filled with examples of Shamara Hornick’s photograph work, including digital photography and some of her studio work with senior graduates. Photo by Charlie M. Hartman

Her work explores both movement and isolation. A few notecards are located around the exhibit where she explains each piece.

“These photographs have no theme; they show my passion for endless creativity and expression,” said Hornick.

“My favorite portraits are senior graduates because I love to tell their stories with my art. [I show] creativity through expressing emotion. I love sports because I can capture movement.”

There were three black and white photographs of graphite hand drawn pictures included in the collection at Lykke books, which Hornick said took her five to seven hours to draw each one, but for her photography she could easily spend all day in Adobe Photoshop editing.

During her presentation at the galley opening, Hornick showed a slideshow on how she edits photographs in Adobe Photoshop.

“I am passionate about editing, it’s the invisible magic. I take out distracting elements, like flyaway hairs or anything out of place and then enhance the background. My studio located in New Ulm is my creative home. The studio got its name from my mom, she liked a picture that I drew of an eye, and I used that as inspiration,” said Hornick.

“I love to create a mess in the studio, sometimes I use smoke in a can or a smoke machine which is how I get the smoky background for some shots. I love to embrace the freedom to experiment,” said Hornick.

The next event for My Eye Photography is a pop up shop from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25 at Lykke Books.

“I love every aspect of photography, capturing moments, showing clients a side of themselves they wouldn’t really see, and capturing all the beauty that this world has to offer,” said Hornick.