Red Rock focuses outside of gym

By By Bryan Chouinard, Staff Writer

February 4, 2009

By Bryan Chouinard, Staff Writer

Utah senior Kristina Baskett has made a name for herself both locally and nationally over the past few years, winning an NCAA national championship in gymnastics on bars and becoming a seven-time All-American during her time at Utah.

She is starting to make a name for herself outside the gym as well8212;in photography.

In January, the electronic journalism major was one of 12 winners selected from over 100 entries of the NCAA student-athlete artist project. Two of Baskett’s photos were on display in the Gaylord National in Washington D.C., home of the 2009 NCAA Convention. Baskett’s photos were also showcased in the Jan. 12 issue of NCAA Champion.

“I get the same type of feeling, love and fire for photography that I do from gymnastics,” Baskett said. “That’s how I know it’s something I really want to pursue.”

Baskett first experimented with photography in a class she took her senior year in high school, but it wasn’t until after her sophomore year at the U that she bought her first digital Single Lens Reflex camera. Little did she know, Utah would be the perfect place to improve her photography, as well as her gymnastics.

“There’s no limits to what you can do with photography in Utah,” Baskett said. “No picture is going to turn out the same8212;there’s just so many ideas and options here.”

Along with the scenery of Utah, Baskett also enjoys photographing portraits, especially of her teammates who have been the subjects in much of her work.

Baskett enrolled as an electronic journalism major because it better encompasses her love for photography within the world of media and broadcasting more so than a basic art degree.

“Through gymnastics, I have been able to talk to newspapers and go into studios,” Baskett said. “It’s been a lot of fun and I really liked it so it’s something I decided to do.”

Baskett put her own stamp on the major by emphasizing her fascination with photography through a wide range of electives including digital editing, computer arts and independent studies. The senior has been hard-pressed to find time to devote to her photography during the years, but she says the boundless possibilities are something that has driven her to pursue a career in photography.

“There’s no rules to (photography),” Baskett said. “It’s totally opinion-based. You can just take an idea and run with it. Some people are going to like it, some people aren’t. It’s like gymnastics in that you create your own style and make your own image.”

But that’s not where the connections end between Baskett’s first love and her fascination with photography.

“I know what it has taken to achieve my goals in gymnastics,” Baskett said. “And I know that it will have the same effect on photography and if I pursue it and work hard at it, it will turn into a work of art I can be proud of. Also with photography, it allows me to get out of the gymnastics world and not always be labeled as a gymnast. It allows me to be someone else.”

Her career with the Red Rocks is coming to an end after this season, and Baskett has begun to think of what the future has in store. With many aspirations after she graduates, the All-American knows that one way or another, she wants photography to be a part of her future. In an ideal situation, Baskett says, she would like to work in advertising for a company or brand, but she knows it won’t be easy.

“Right away I won’t be able to go right into photography because of my lack of experience,” Baskett said. “But getting to try some of my other options and always doing photography on the side, building my portfolio and resume will be a good thing because I can always do that. Plus I get to pursue all my other aspirations too.”

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