Face Time: Drew Osumi

By Alexis Rodriguez

It's not often that you're interested in the life and times of a freshman. They're confused, generally trying hard, and have so many questions about everything. Once in a blue moon—literally once—you find a handful of freshmen that aren't so...freshmen-y? This week, we caught up with Drew Osumi, whom we've deemed part of the rare breed of first years, to talk selfies with the Dalai Lama, some ground-level Syracuse perceptions, and why he'd gladly sport some bruised knuckles in the name of Bieber Fever.

What’s your favorite thing about Syracuse?

My favorite thing about Syracuse University is the large diversity of people and the different cultures that I am surrounded by.

How old were you when you first got into photography?

I first started taking photos in seventh grade in Berlin, Germany. I used my mother’s point-and-shoot camera. It was very basic. Then my father purchased his first DSLR camera. I started playing around and taking photos with his camera. I fell in love with the way you can change the different settings and see the consequences of those different settings immediately after you take the photo. Then, during Christmas of 2006, I received my first DSLR camera. It was very basic, but it helped start my photographic passion. I started taking most of my photos in high school, where I took pictures for my yearbook and newspaper.

What’s the weirdest dream you've had?

When I was seven years old I was in my hometown in Morgan Hill, Cali,. and I was constantly running away from zombies. I then trapped myself inside of my elementary school, where I then boarded a huey helicopter, where they took me up, and I started shooting from the machine gun and killing dinosaurs. I have no recollection of any events after that moment.

What’s something people don't know about you?

I like eating a lot of food.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Paul Walker because ever since I saw him in <<ital Too Fast Too Furious>> driving the Nisson Skyline R34 I have been incredibly jealous of him because he drove my dream car, but then eventually crashed it.

What do you love most about being a photographer?

I like seeing people’s emotions when I take pictures and I like seeing their reactions to the photos I take. I also like knowing that the photos I take will be a part of their lives forever.

What is something we would find in your refrigerator?

Yogurt, water bottles—currently we have a cake sitting in there that we need to defrost and it needs to be frosted. Defrost and frost. (chuckles)

What is one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to you?

My friend was driving me and there were these set of train tracks coming up over this crest. My friend floored and we jumped the car. All four wheels were off the ground.

What’s your biggest fear?

Failing people—like disappointing them.

What’s the farthest place you've traveled to?

Japan

Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts?

I like the Dunkaccino from Dunkin Donuts.

What’s the worst movie you've ever seen?

Hobo with a Shotgun. It’s about a hobo that goes around killing people and at the end of the movie a woman gets part of her arm cut off and stabs a man with the radius bone in her arm.

Which celebrity you want to punch in the face?

Either Justin Bieber or Lindsay Lohan. I thought Lindsay Lohan was attractive, but then everything bad happened to her. And then I would punch Justin Bieber, just to touch him, so that my hand would be worth half a million dollars.

What do you love to take pictures of the most?

Cars and people.

Olivia Wilde or Olivia Munn?

Olivia Munn.

What are three adjectives to describe yourself?

Honest, logical, and caring.

Tell us about meeting the Dalai Lama.

I didn’t really meet the Dalai Lama, per say, but he came towards all the photographs and videographers in the press room because he wanted a photo with all of us. Right before he was about to get up I asked him if I could get a picture with him and he said sure—Or he mumbled something which I assumed was in agreement to my question and I just quickly took the photo with my iPhone, and I knew I had captured the money shot of that night, and I quickly uploaded it to Instagram and Facebook.

How did you get involved with the yearbook?

For the yearbook, I’m a photographic editor and I’m in charge of four of the photographers. The way I found the yearbook was through an email I received through VPA and I saw that the yearbook was looking for a photo editor and I went in and interviewed for a photography position and I gave them a letter of recommendation from my high school yearbook teacher. I also showed them my different photos in my portfolio and then they asked me a couple of questions about how well I do working with people and the different things I do photography-wise and then they said they would get back to me within three days.