Cassandra Xie, 18 year old industrial engineering student, photographer, and blogger from Atlanta, GA.

In your own words, who are you and where are you from?

I’m an eighteen year old girl, born and raised in Atlanta. I always get the funniest reactions when I tell people my exact birthplace (downtown’s Grady Hospital, rather infamous for their inner-city coverage). I guess people assume it makes me a viable candidate for street smarts, some thing I definitely don’t have. I paid a taxi driver five dollars last weekend to drive two blocks. Mostly, I’m a student at Georgia Tech, majoring in industrial and systems engineering (it’s pretty dreadful). On the side, I’m a photography intern for OhSnapKid, a contributor for GA City Style, and a sometimes-blogger for my own pet projects.

That sounds like a pretty eclectic mix! How has mixing school and your work life been?

Crazy, but I wouldn’t ever trade any of it away. I made a promise to myself when I started college that I wouldn’t limit myself to living the life of a stereotypical engineer. Sometimes it gets pretty intense, but balancing classes and work has helped me learn some much-needed time management. TeuxDeux.com pretty much runs my life now.

Tell us about your blog.

Cass&Cole is something a good friend and I started a few months ago. It’s a blog very much still in its “baby” phase.. but we like it that way! It’s supremely casual, something that updates every now and then (we’re hoping to someday find the rhythm of regular posting). Despite the fashion-oriented posts, sometimes I feel like it’s more of a note passing back and forth between two very busy girls!

How did you get into photography?

I think it started with the beginning of online profiling, with Xanga, and then MySpace, and now Facebook. Honestly, I just wanted a good profile picture! Actually learning the whole technique behind digital photography came much later. It sounds silly, but that’s what I still think of when I shoot, whether my photos are self-portraits or of other people. Above all, I love having the ability to make someone happy with their own photo.

What do you mostly shoot?

Before, I focused on just my close friends and everyday adventures. About two months ago, I met Ryan from OhSnapKid and was offered a position shooting for him. OSK mainly covers nightlife photography, so I’ve been learning how to do that as well as basic event coverage. Technically speaking, I learned more about my camera in the past few weeks than I have in the three years I’ve had it. There’s a lot that goes into working nightlife we don’t think about. Most people don’t see the organization behind building those events from the ground up. Or how hungry your stomach gets around 4am every night. But it’s okay, my view on nightlife is that you’re meant to leave the workday behind and just enjoy yourself.

Describe your personal style.

I like clothes I can move around in, but I’m also a huge sucker for impossible heels. I admire people who can pull off their outfits with comfort. To me, anything looks good as long as the wearer is at ease. I’m a big fan of Alexander Wang’s “Model Off-Duty” look, but I can’t ever seem to pull it off! I’m also shamelessly obsessed with American Apparel. Everyone needs to attend the flea market this weekend! I’ll be working the tent and would love to meet some new kids.

The first thing you look at in another person’s outfit is:

How the clothes frame the neck. I think the whole structure of the neck and shoulders is a beautiful thing, and good design brings that to attention.

Top 3 places to visit in Atlanta?

Cherry Bomb! R Thomas! Lucky Exchange!

What’s one thing you can’t live without?

My Burberry classic perfume!

What’s on your playlist right now?

1. My Way by jj ft. Lil Wayne.
2. The Rabbit by Miike Snow, the video’s pretty intense.
3. Somewhere by Dorion ft. B-Rad & Jenny O, from the new Wildfox Couture promotional.
4. I’m Not Your Lemonade + Heroes n Villans Remix from Major Lazer/La Roux’s collab, the producer DJs around Atlanta!
5. 1973 by James Blunt.

Any hidden passions we don’t know about?

Shopping, of course, but that’s hardly a secret. I kind of dabble in painting and Chinese yoyo. I also work with the campus admissions office as well as my sorority. Oh, and I wish I had the guts to get a tattoo. I really want one!

Let’s say you’re feeling gutsy. What would it be of?

Funny you should mention the word “passion”. It’d be all text, under the collarbones: “Passion is Universal”.

More of Cassandra’s photos can be found here.