Holton senior’s photographs capture different religions

Jillian Pekel’s love for photography took her across the globe.

In June, the Holton senior spent six days in Japan, followed by almost two weeks in Ireland, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy and France.

She captured more than 1,000 photos throughout these countries as part of her senior Honor’s project.

The photos explore four different areas of religion — Shinto, Buddhism, Catholicism and Christianity.

“I learned that the religions aren’t that much different,” Pekel said. “The world may be a big place, but everybody’s similar.”

Twenty of her photos are on display in the Charles V. Park Library Extended Hours Study Room.

Her exhibit, “Faiths Around the World,” is on display until Nov. 30. The photos focus on the different worship rituals of the religions.

One of the displayed photos features people washing money in a magical Japanese river because they believe their money will multiply.

Other photos focus on Buddhist sculptures and imagery from the Vatican City in Rome.

Pekel said she enjoyed shooting photos in Europe because of the history.

“Everything is so much older,” Pekel said. “And it’s cool because everybody speaks so many different languages. It’s intense that they can rattle off so many different things.”

Capturing the moment

During her trip, Pekel got kicked out of a temple by a Buddhist monk in Japan.

“I couldn’t understand what he was saying — he just kept yelling at me in Japanese,” Pekel said.

Pekel said she has always been interested in religion and grew up attending a Methodist church.

Flint graduate student Carey Fitzgerald has been dating Pekel for two years. He traveled with her throughout Europe and said her skills as a photographer are astounding.

“She’s really good at grasping whatever she’s trying to show people,” Fitzgerald said. “If you look at one of her pictures, you’ll feel like you belong in whatever’s going on.”

Assistant professor of journalism Kent Miller is Pekel’s adviser.

Miller has known her for two years and said he is very proud of her work.

“She’s an exemplarity student,” Miller said. “She’s came a long way as a photographer.”

Pekel graduates in May and is photo editor for Grand Central Magazine.

One of her biggest goals is to see all seven continents before she dies and all 50 states before she reaches 30.

She said she plans on taking photos forever.

“You can never recreate a moment, so it’s cool to capture something that you can have forever,” she said.