When Tim Hussin's sister handed him a 35mm camera in high school, he thought photography would just be a hobby.
But eight years later, Hussin was named the best college photographer in the nation at the annual William Randolph Hearst National Photojournalism Championship held in San Francisco.
Hussin was chosen from 12 semi-finalists to compete in a final "Shoot-out."
For his assignment, Hussin spent a day at Fisherman's Wharf.
He said he always gravitated to water since he was a child, living in Palm Harbor by the coast and frequently fishing with his dad.
"It was amazing out there [in the water]. For some people it's a lifestyle," he said, adding that he tries to aim for subtlety in his work and likes capturing photos that make people think beyond the superficial.
John Freeman, a UF photojournalism professor, said Hussin was already a talented photographer when he came to his beginning class.
Freeman said he first saw Hussin's work at The Independent Florida Alligator, where he started out as a freelance photographer and later was hired.
"I told him, 'So you're the guy. I've been seeing your name in [the Alligator]; you're already pretty good," Freeman said, recalling the first time he met Hussin. "And [he answered], 'Really?' He was embarrassed and humble about it."
Freeman also flew to San Francisco to support Hussin, who was also named College Photographer of the Year by the University of Missouri School of Journalism last November.
The title comes with a National Geographic magazine internship, which Hussin will start in September.
Hussin is interning with multimedia agency MediaStorm in New York.
But Hussin didn't realize he wanted to pursue photography professionally until college.
When he was a freshman, his major was environmental science.
"I didn't know what I wanted to do , like most other freshmen," he said.
Photojournalism grabbed his attention after taking Introduction to Journalism in order to integrate his interest in science with something more expressive.
Hussin said he drew inspiration from music, literature, his photojournalism professors, Freeman and John Kaplan and his friends.
Hussin said he tries to expose himself to different people who have interesting ideas and a unique outlook on life.
"I guess I have that drive," he said, speaking of his passion for photography.
Hussin competed in the Hearst competition last year and didn't win, he said, which was disappointing.
"But I knew I had another year to try," he said. "And behold-I won."
