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What is not so normal, however, is an African-American male from north Philadelphia seeking to be the creative director of an advertising agency housing campaigns for designers like Versace, Dolce and Gabbana and Prada.

"I can bet, 100 percent, no one knows what high-fashion photography is where I grew up, if you have an image of the ghetto or what a hood is-that's my background" he said.

Growing up, Cathey would pass fistfights on his way home from school. He lived next door to a crack house and the drug dealers posted on every other corner were his neighborhood's mascots.

Behold Cathey's inspiration.

"I wanted to challenge my surroundings and prove people who come from my type of area can produce quality images, fitting in next to Anna Wintour [Vogue Magazine's Editor-In-Chief]."

And how will he compete with industry elites?

"Hard work, networking, creativity and lots of starving nights," Cathey said.

The 20 year-old, majoring in art with a focus on photography, anticipates his journey will not be an easy one, but has been working towards his career since sophomore year of high school and sees no point in stopping now.

He describes his ability to study art at Penn State as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" because he recognizes how he is culturally going against the grain. Historically, most African-Americans are not as financially stable as members of other ethnic groups, Cathey observes. For this reason he describes pursing art as "a risk."

"Especially if you've graduated from high school and you're on to college- your mothers or your fathers or who ever is raising you expect you to pursue a career you may not be fit for, just so you can bring in money," he said.

Cathey, however, is "a risk" Penn State is willing to take. This semester he was awarded the Leslie P. Greenhill award, the sole photography scholarship Penn State offers. Established in memory of the late Leslie Greenhill, senior professor of education, $250 per semester is offered to the third-year student who displays the greatest interest and commitment to the field. Cathey is honored the university recognized his unique approach to photography.

"I try to stay humble but I just see myself being this huge star," he said with a wide grin.

Self-taught until he enrolled in his first photography class, Photo 100, at Penn State Harrisburg freshman year, Cathey has stood out since day one. After his first college image assignment, he vividly remembers his teacher ensuring he had already earned an A because of how advance his work was compared to his peers.

But Cathey's skill set is only a fraction of what sets him a part from his competition- he also attributes his unique angle to his culture.

"The good thing is, as a person of color, I don't bring nothing that they would not expect from any artist be it Asian, Black, White, whatever- I don't bring anything less," he said.

"What I bring more is an interesting perspective on fashion photography."

Cathey said his point of view displayed in his images is not concrete because it is still developing. His primary tool in furthering his craft is experimentation fused with trial and error. By doing so he is able to identify what he connects to and what he must "throw in the trash."

"It's those odd moments of experimentation that lead to the development of your photographer's eye. At first you hate the image because it's so different and then you realize it's unique and something you can pursue as an artist," he said.

When he is not taking pictures, Cathey enjoys eating Raisin Bran cereal, dancing at parties and hanging out with friends. The one thing he said couldn?t live without is R&B music by Brandy.

Lastly, attention is what Cathey loves the most from those around him.

"I don't mind stares," he said.

"I have an odd name and I dress crazy," he said.

"So there's no stopping when I go to bigger places, people will find that my work is unique and so am I- and that's usually what makes an artist famous."

Not just a fashion photographer

This audio slideshow is designed to show the variety of Cathey's work. He categorizes his photos as conceptual, beauty or fashion.

More work by the author

View a multimedia portfolio by Stephanie Raposo.

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