‍

Meet Squatty the Cam (he/him) ! Squatty was brought to life by the 2025 Youth Advisory Board as the official mascot for Youth in Focus. We sat down with Squatty to learn more about him and welcome him to the YiF community.

‍

About Me:

Ever since I came to life, I have strived to motivate the youth to utilize their creative potential through photography. By providing them with the proper support, they need to express themselves in a way that allows them to capture the very same love and passion that brought me to life. I strongly believe that creativity through photography acts as a link to the thoughts, feelings, and unique perspectives that we all encompass within ourselves. However it is most relevant to the youth - who at their age have a lot of feelings and thoughts regarding, current, past or future events in the world and/or even themselves - but as I’ve grown to know… sometimes those feelings are hard to express, and can easily become overwhelming when there is no available outlet. That’s why Youth in Focus and I advocate to provide such an outlet; for an accessible way to alleviate that burden by motivating and equipping the youth with the means to express their perspectives through the medium of photography.  

Outside of being YIF’s amazing mascot, I like to think of myself as a creative coach, part-time hype machine, and full-time matcha enthusiast. I roll through the studio dropping encouragement, posing dramatically under good lighting, and collecting as many stickers as my frame can hold. My playlist? Think 2000s pop bangers mixed with dramatic movie soundtracks. Very emotionally cinematic, just like me.

I may be small, but I’ve got huge energy. I’ll be the one photobombing your group shots, sneaking into camera bags, and cheering you on while you chase your vision.📸💚

‍

‍

INTERVIEW:

Q: Tell us about yourself.

A: I’m Squatty the Cam. I wasn’t always alive. Once upon a time, I was just a little camera sitting on a dusty shelf, waiting for someone to notice me. But the YIF students? Oh man—they loved me. So much creative energy and good vibes swirled around the studio that one day I just… woke up! Since then, I’ve been strolling around on my little tripod legs, capturing moments, causing mild mischief, and making sure nobody forgets to focus on the fun (get it?).

‍

Q: Wait, you said you came to life “once upon a time”...So how old are you really?

A: Oh wow... um, somewhere between "born yesterday" and "ancient artifact." Time’s weird when you’re a walking camera. All I know is I’ve been around long enough to collect a lot of stickers and develop extremely strong opinions about lighting angles.

‍

What kind of camera are you?
A: I’m a digital camera, baby—built for the modern age but rocking a soul straight out of a vintage photo album. I’ve got just enough buttons to feel important, and a lens that captures feelings, not just pixels. My SD card? Packed with memories, vibes, and at least one blurry photo I refuse to delete because it’s art.

‍

Q: What is your favorite season?
A: Spring, 100%. Winter makes my batteries freeze up like I’m a sad little toaster, and summer? Let’s just say I start overheating and questioning all my life choices. But spring? Spring is just right. Good lighting, soft colors, people smiling for no reason... it’s like the world’s in portrait mode.

‍

Q: What are some things you love?
A: I love catching candid smiles and rocking all the stickers people slap on me (I’m basically walking fan art).

‍

Q: Any dislikes?
A: Low Battery mode. It’s my personal nightmare. And getting wiped down- I like my fingerprint smudges, okay???

‍

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Matcha! It’s green, it’s mysterious, it’s energizing—and it looks amazing in a photoshoot. I like my beverages the way I like my art: slightly overthought and aesthetically on point.

‍

Q: Do you have any hobbies?
Oh, absolutely. I’m big into sticker collecting. I also enjoy watching the light change in the studio throughout the day. Sometimes I just sit by the window and imagine what clouds would taste like. Probably matcha. I also write fake movie scripts in my head starring... me. Genre? Emotional coming-of-age comedy, obviously.

Q: What’s your dream job?

A: Honestly? I’m already living it. I get to hang out at YIF, cheer on young creatives, and capture their “aha!” moments. But if I had to choose something else… I’d probably want to be a director of an indie film that wins awards for “most feelings in under 3 minutes.” Or maybe a traveling matcha critic with my own show. Either way, I just want to keep telling stories—one frame (or dramatic slow pan) at a time.

Q: Is there a final word you want to let students know?

A: Never underestimate the power of your perspective. The way you see the world—your weird, wonderful, emotional, chaotic lens—is something no one else has. Use it. Play with it. Get messy with it. Art isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being you. Oh, and drink water. And if you ever feel stuck, come find me. I’ll be somewhere around the studio with a hundred different ways to remind you: You got this.

‍