paulseno2@lopers.unk.edu
UNK student and Thompson Scholar, Graeme Cuizon, is not your typical college kid. With a full course load and working 15-20 hours a week, he finds time to run his photography business and still be heavily involved on campus.
Cuizon’s origins are much further than the UNK community.
“I’m a third culture kid, which means I was born in one country and raised in another,” Graeme said. “Therefore, my unique experiences form a third culture.”
Graeme is originally from the Philippines where he was raised by his mother and father, accompanied by his younger sister Abby. In 2003, tragedy struck the Cuizon family in the Philippines when Graeme’s father passed away from stage 3 kidney cancer.
After remarrying, Graeme’s mother left the Philippines in search of better for her family.
“Living in the United States since 2005 shaped things into perspective because abroad the U.S. is nicknamed a land of opportunities,” Graeme said. He also mentions the respect he had for his mother and the precedence she set for him and his younger sister, working multiple jobs to ensure the livelihood of her children.
“She gave us so much and provided the necessary amount of nurturing for us to be able to take care of ourselves someday,” Graeme said.
Unfortunately, tragedy didn’t cease for Graeme and his sister. In 2012, his mother passed away from Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, formerly known as Wegener’s disease.
Graeme did not let his life spiral out of control after the loss of both his parents. Instead, he found a passion and let it blossom and grow.
“After experiencing this trauma, I looked to photography/videography as a creative outlet as part of my grieving process to help people document special memories,” Graeme said. “I do this because I never had home videos and barely any documentation of my development.”
Graeme is now the owner of a photography business through which he captures the special moments of a high school senior enjoying their last year, a newly engaged couple entranced in love, a bride and groom experiencing their first dance and many more moments that only a seasoned photographer like himself can capture.
“I was fortunate enough to have Graeme take pictures of my friends and I and he really captured exactly what we wanted. He did a great job of not only taking amazing pictures but we had so much fun doing it!” said UNK student and one of his clients, Carlee Chasek.
Graeme has many admirers, many of whom are his clients, but one being his little sister, Abby.
“He’s a really great role model to look up to and it’s prevalent that he strives to do the best to make our parents in heaven proud,” Abby said.
Graeme has not been dealt the easiest cards but has certainly made the most of his situation and accredits much of his success to his friends and family.
“I know now that everything in my life led to this and I am so incredibly blessed with the abundance and support Nebraska has given me,” Graeme said. “I realize now that this is how life works, it’s delicate and harsh, however life is also filled with beauty, kindness, and love.”
