Photography is widely considered the most popular art form in mainstream media. Whether it be through an iPhone or a Canon, we all pride ourselves in that one glorious snapshot we’ve managed to nab.

For junior Joanna Mendoza, photography is a way in which she is able to document through each photo the stories of many students from FUHS and even beyond.  

“Usually I’m drawn to take pictures of people who have their own distinct style, and they just pop,” Mendoza said. “I try to capture their essence on camera, while being aesthetically pleasing to the eye.”

Mendoza often finds herself in the middle of the buzzing Orange County music scene in order to capture the wild antics of FUHS nightlife.

From mosh pits to parking lot shenanigans, the scene is characterized by the local bands such as Fullerton’s own Apollo 69 and Gromit, and the familiar faces at every show.

“A lot of kids are people from Fullerton who are into music find each other one way or another and become friends or acquaintances,” Mendoza said. “School wise, kids tend to find others with common interests as well and might even collaborate and start a band.”

Mendoza has taken to going to shows regularly, consistently finding herself in the midst of chaos at every show.

“Some shows get crazy and people get wild in the pit,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza recalls a time she’s had to improvise in order to capture all the destruction.

“Recently, at a Max Blooms show, it was packed and it got out of control,” Mendoza said. “I ended up standing on the counter to take pictures, and it worked out nicely, I wasn’t getting hit and I had a good view.”

Gallery • 8 Photos

The pit at a Hybrid show. Photo by Joanna Mendoza.

The kids at these shows all have various tastes in music and clothing, making it easy to assimilate.

“I’d say they are very social people, and since the scene isn’t the biggest you get to know everyone somehow,” Mendoza said. “I’d say they are bold for the most part, you can look at them and just know that they are a part of something.”

As for what lies ahead for Mendoza, dreams of working in a major publication are up in the air. However, Mendoza believes that what she is doing is providing the experience she needs to succeed.

“Taking pictures of people in the scene helps me grow as a photographer,” Mendoza said. I learn how to capture people in a photograph, as well as get exposure at the same time.”

Mendoza feels passionately about documenting the scene and finds it an important aspect of Fullerton history.

“It’s the youth, it’s the future,” Mendoza said. “Whether people are a fan of the music or not, these kids in particular are part of the something which can make a great social impact someday.”

Featured are a few photos taken by Mendoza. You can see more of her work at joannaputa.vsco.com.