Mepham student's skateboard pic wins magazine spot

Justin Plotnick was the subject of hundreds of his mother’s photos as a child, and now his work behind the camera will bring him international recognition.

Plotnick, a 16-year-old from Merrick and junior at Mepham High School, was skateboarding with friends when he snapped a shot with his Nikon D7000 of classmate Richie Dominguez, 16. The photo, taken on a whim, was a finalist in a contest sponsored by Photographer’s Forum magazine. As one of 100 honorable mention winners, the photo will be featured in the Spring 2012 hardcover international edition of the magazine.

“I was so excited to find out I was a finalist,” said Plotnick. “I have my camera in my backpack at all times for these kinds of situations.”

Plotnick’s work stood out from a total of 17,000 pictures submitted for the contest.

“Justin’s got a natural talent, so really I’m not surprised that someone has recognized it,” said Kelly Shiulaz, Plotnick’s photography teacher at Mepham. “He’s always had this gift.”

Plotnick’s mother, Dawn Plotnick, bought him a Nikon D1300 for his 14th birthday when he expressed interest in photography. He then saved up enough money to upgrade to a Nikon D7000 two years later.

“It’s wonderful to see that he’s doing something he really enjoys and that other people see his talent,” said Dawn Plotnick.

For the past year, Justin Plotnick has been working with a DJ company taking photos for birthday parties and other special events. His mother said she loves watching her son’s photography grow from a hobby to a profession.

After he graduates high school in June 2013, Plotnick hopes to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he can continue to pursue photography.

“It’s amazing because you think of your child as a little baby taking a million photos of him and never thinking that in the future this is something he will become so passionate about,” said Dawn Plotnick.

Plotnick said he loves the artistic freedom photography allows him.

“I love everything about it,” he said. “Everything. You can always experiment with photos and have fun with it.”

Above: This photograph by Justin Plotnick, a junior at Mepham High School, will be featured in the Spring 2012 edition of Photographer's Forum magazine. The photograph features fellow Mepham student Richie Dominguez skateboarding.